Enjoying the Sault in Michigan

Sitting here is the living room at Sue's home on the bay of Lake Superior, we have been watching the huge ships passing by headed for the Sault locks to descend the 21 feet to Lake Huron. Some of these ships measure 1,000' in length with an amazing tonnage of cargo. Looking across the bay, we see the mountains in Canada with many windmills slowly turning along their tops to generate electricity for the Sault in Canada. The temperature is in the 50's here in contrast to the 90's I left in Charlotte. I hear that on occasion they have even had a few snow flakes on the 4th of July. This IS the North!

My trip went well taking a total of 19 hours driving. Fortunately I was able to get a good nights rest at our lake house in Indiana before heading out for the final 7 hours of travel. Keith and the children drove through the night to get here, but Karin and I held off to get some sleep at the lake and then drove the rest of the way during the daytime. We are enjoying being together as a family, 16 in all, but we are missing Lisa who was unable to make it. Hopefully we will be able to connect with her later in the summer.

I trust that all of you have a blessed 4th weekend with family and friends reflecting on the independence that we as a country have enjoyed these many years. Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement during these months of adjustment.

Love,

Chuck

Look to the LORD

The past few days seem to have been a bit extra stressful for me. I required a steroid shot to arrest a nasty case of poison ivy and it seemed to do a number on my sleep. Spending many nighttime hours remembering those days a year ago as Carol was valiantly finishing well. It was just a year ago yesterday that we met with Tom and Stuart to discuss plans for her celebration. Carol was able to spend over 12 hours with the family that day and even watched us eat our final dinner together as she was no longer able to take in food. It was so wonderful to have the family all here for that special time and after we tucked Carol into bed, each family member went into her room sharing some final thoughts before their hugs and kisses and departure back home. Our three daughters stayed on and were a tremendous encouragement to both Carol and me.

As I reflect on those days, I am reminded of a recent reading in Indeed which quoted 1 Chronicles 16:11: "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." The author said; "...humility and impossibility set the stage for His power. Weakness demonstrates His strength." We certainly did feel weak during those days but at the same time experienced amazing strength which I know was from the Lord.

Early tomorrow I plan to head for our lake house in Indiana and will connect with Karin, Keith and family. On Thursday we plan to continue to Sault Ste. Marie (Michigan) where we will join Sue and Jeff at their new home and welcome all of the extended family with the exception of Lisa who cannot get away at that time. Lots of miles, but I am so thrilled to be able to be with the family again. Those are always such special times. I am praying for safe travel and good health for everyone.

Thanks for your prayers and frequent contacts. You have no idea how much that encourages me.

Love to you all,

Chuck

Final Hugs

One year ago today Carol pushed herself to do a final blog, having daughter Sue insert some photos from Justin and Laura's wedding as promised. Her words are worth repeating:

"We don't know but that I may have very few days left in this body. I want to thank you for walking this cancer journey with us for 2 1/2 years. Your prayers and notes of encouragement have made a huge difference. Even after we've said our final goodbyes, you will still have your own journey to walk. Please don't forget to Fully Rely on God. I'll also appreciate your continued prayers for Chuck and the family."

"Final Hugs: I visualize hundreds of dear people whom I would love to hug and speak a personal goodbye to. It may be impossible. Please be hugged."

"I want to step out of this life with all my relationships in order. To the best of my understanding I am at peace. If you feel you have anything to resolve with me, please feel free to take advantage of the time remaining."

Included with the blog was a photograph of the painting "Into the Light" that daughter Sue painted and which was reproduced with Carol's final thoughts on the reverse side. I still have some copies left if you missed it or would like an extra. Just let me know. I'll be glad to send it to you.

Have a blessed weekend with family and friends.

Love to you all,

Chuck

Hold on to Jesus

This morning as I have my breakfast on our patio, I am enjoying the peaceful surroundings. A lovely morning with a gentle breeze, birds singing and flitting from bush to tree and back. Potential new tenants are examining the Bluebird house and appear to be checking me out also as they make their decision. Neighbors are important too you know! The fig trees are loaded with what would appear to be a generous crop later in the season and the pomegranate is starting to display its’ beautiful blooms. A large number of flowers have made their appearance and I am reminded of the many hours that Carol and I spent designing and tenderly placing the little plants that have become a mature landscape...which requires more care than we had anticipated at the time.

I am reminded that a year ago today we were at our lake house with Hospice nurses fighting to make it possible for Carol to attend Justin and Laura’s wedding the following day in Michigan. Frankly, it appeared that Carol’s condition was so grave that it was most questionable if it would be possible for her to travel any further as she so much desired. But again we saw miracle upon miracle and late that evening she said “let’s go!” We were not only able to attend the wedding with Carol reading the Scripture, but we were able to complete the third “bundle” Carol had referred to, and return to Charlotte.

Recently as I sat in Carol’s study/office where she spent her last weeks in a hospital bed surrounded by many books and artifacts from our trips to various world-wide locations. I picked up a small notebook that Carol made an entry in during her final days that was not written in her usual perfect penmanship but obviously written with considerable difficulty. On it she scrawled some lines from the Mercy Me song Homesick which apparently was an expression of her feelings as she anticipated that soon coming moment, and it was almost as if I could hear her voice as I read the following:

“I close my eyes and I see your face
If heaven is where my heart is,
Then I am out of place.
Lord won’t you give me strength
To make it through some how
Cause I’ve never been more homesick than now.
In Christ there are no goodbyes.
In Christ there is no end.
So I hold on to Jesus with all that I have…”

Those are some thoughts that my homesick mind is processing currently…holding on to Jesus.

Love to you all,

Chuck

Memories

This morning as I listened to a report by Beaj, a missionary who lost her husband a few years ago to cancer, memories flooded back to that day. Steve her husband, spoke during our chapel time about his battle with cancer and read a tender letter he had written to their daughter talking about suffering and reminding her that suffering can destroy or refine us. ”The option is ours", he said. Within thirty minutes as he drove away, his earthly life ended and his vehicle came to a stop against a guardrail. At that time, our battle with Carol’s cancer was in the early stages and we both wondered what would lie ahead for our family.

I am thankful for the experiences that Carol and I chronicled during those 2 ½ years. To be able to read again about our challenges and thoughts, then seeing how God strengthened us and orchestrated events and people to come alongside us, helps to strengthen my faith for the future.

It was just a year ago that Carol wrote “Such good news! Just before midnight I crept out of my hospital bed and crawled into Chuck’s bed… Not only did I sleep sweetly the rest of the night, but so did Chuck, a total of 7 hours for him." That was the last time she was able to do that and the memory must have been on my mind during the night when I was having a bit of difficulty sleeping. I awoke this morning holding her pillow tightly. Carol’s last big desire that she noted then was to attend the wedding for Justin and Laura in Michigan and by God’s grace and the help of many; we were able to do it!

This morning “Indeed” featured dependence and was a good reminder for me of the need for my dependence upon God and not on self-sufficiency and being independent. 1 Chronicles 16:11 is clear about that “Look to the LORD and his strength, seek his face always.” Now if I can just remember that…always.

Love,

Chuck

Returned

I am always thankful for safe travel when I consider the thousands of vehicles that I meet and the condition of many of the drivers, both physical and mental. I continue to be amazed about how green everything is this year in comparison to the past dry years.

On Saturday we went to South Bend to watch the soccer tournament that Calli was playing in. They didn't win, but played a good game. We enjoyed the concluding message of an eight-week series by Pastor Denny Sunday morning on the end times which he appropriately titled "God Wins." Sunday afternoon Gavin had a group of his friends at the lake for some games, water activity and delicious food prepared by Karin. It was a good time for me to sit back and just relax. It was especially fun to watch the swan family swim by frequently, heads reaching deep into the water teaching the little ones to "hustle their own groceries".

It is always amazing how much accumulates on my desk while I am away, but I feel like it is rather well under control as I wrap up this first day back at the office.

Love,

Chuck

Thanks

Travel went well and I was pleased to see that our swan couple have five new little ones. They are proud but busy parents. They came over to our pier to show them off to me when I first walked down to the lake. The weather is beautiful and should be a restful weekend. When I left Charlotte it was raining hard and from the calls that I had en route it sounds like things are being well watered. It is a blessing after some mighty dry years.

As I was reading Paul's letter to the Philippians in The Daily Message (Ch. 1), it reminded me of each of you faithful friends: "Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart." You are each a blessing.

Have a blessed weekend,

Chuck

Blessings

This week has been quite a contrast from last year when I celebrated my birthday in the hospital with Carol as we anticipated a surgery which ultimately was not able to be done because of the advanced growth of the cancer. I have been thankful for all of the calls, emails, cards and meals this week. It is a good thing that I don't get fed like that all of the time or I would not fit into my clothes.

We heard several exciting reports this week from missionaries returning from the fields of India, Nigeria, Italy, and Liberia. God works in amazing ways in the lives of people as they open their hearts to Him. It is a tremendous joy to be working with such a wonderful group of His people. I am blessed to have this opportunity!

I plan to spend the weekend at our lake house in Indiana but this will be a rather quick trip. I need to be back in the office on Tuesday, but it will be good to be able to check things out up there and see a few family members. Presently Sue and Jeff are in the process of moving and so are James, Liz and family. I am sure glad that it is not me that is moving presently. That may come one of these days, but I am quite content to sit tight for now.

You all continue to be a great blessing to me. Thanks so very much!

Love to all,

Chuck

Faith Enjoys!

This week I have appreciated The Daily Message readings in 1st Samuel and also the emphasis on faith as I followed the Indeed readings which you can guess focused on Hebrews 11. What a reminder and challenge to finish well. But there were so many personal failures in 1 Samuel even with reminders like Samuel’s “If you are truly serious about coming back to GOD, clean house…ground yourselves firmly in GOD, worship him and him alone…” Contrast that with the examples of those mentioned in Hebrews 11. What a dramatic difference! And Hebrews 11 certainly leaves no doubt about the key, as repeatedly we read “by faith.”

Here are a few statements that spoke to me;

“Faith doesn’t hold on to worry and stress.

Real faith…is absolutely certain that the invisible God has a visible answer for us.

In short, faith honors God’s faithfulness, His power, His love and His wisdom.

Those who cannot see the invisible God and who are not aware of the eternal kingdom will never opt for faith.

Faith enjoys the gifts of God in this world, but never pursues them above God himself. The eyes of faith see the big picture and cause us to stake our life on it.”

I am always amazed and thankful how just the right message comes along to challenge and encourage me when most needed. This has been an extra stressful week for me, and as I reflect on each day, I see how God has spoken to me in each situation through the Word and through His people. Sometimes it took a little while for me to really hear and to exercise the faith I was reading about.

Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement as I continue to adjust to new challenges. Remembering that “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.”

Love,

Chuck

Birthday

Yesterday would have been the birthday of a very special person; wife, mom, grandmother, Mimi and friend. This photo was taken on the day that she took her first of 51 chemo infusions that helped her to have many wonderful days with family and friends during her two and a half years of fighting cancer.

I was amazed how many people remembered the day and contacted me with words of support and encouragement. One couple, anticipating that it would be a difficult day for me, invited me to their home for dinner. It was a blessing to be with friends but I found my eyes drooping from time to time before heading home. I had been on the go since 4:30 am when I make my weekly trip to the warehouse to pick up donated bread items for the mission. The Lord continues to bless me through each of you, for which I continue to thank Him and want to also thank you!

This morning during our chapel time we had a report from one of our missionaries who just returned from Africa after several years of service. Her story was amazing as she told of open and responsive hearts and how the Lord had used the dreams of several individuals to open the door for her to tell them about Jesus, seeing their lives and desires dramatically changed. There are days when I feel tired and think that maybe this old guy should be thinking of taking it easier, but then when I hear reports like this one, I am inspired to "carry on" even when I may not feel like it. As the Lord continues to give me the health and strength I plan to continue in the role where He has placed me.

Have a blessed day!

Chuck

Molded mud

This has been a rather busy, but enjoyable week. We have nearly thirty potential candidates spending four days with us at the office to determine how and where the Lord wants to use them. I have had the opportunity to interview several of them and am thrilled to learn how the Lord has been working in their lives and the experiences he has given them to prepare them for a lifetime of service for Himself. Some have come from “perfect” homes, some not so perfect and some have experienced horrible abuse that was difficult to deal with but through which they learned the love of God and His protection, and have a burden to be used of Him in others lives. Now they are searching for their place in the world to serve Him. Spending time with young people like that gives me a renewed hope for the future of this country and the world.

Friends continue to encourage me. Last weekend for Mother’s Day, I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from our “southern daughter” Connie. She was thinking of Carol and wanted me to have them in her memory. I was invited for dinner three times during the week and had some wonderful times of fellowship and delicious food. Last evening was a special time at a neighbor’s home with them and another couple that were former neighbors of mine.

I had a call from the wife of Carol’s cancer buddy John yesterday asking for special prayer. She caught a bad cold and is praying that she will not pass it on to John in his weakened condition with cancer. Please join me in praying for both John and Mary Ella. These are difficult times for them, similar to those that Carol and I faced about a year ago. Pray for grace, peace and strength, along with healing, as they fight the daily battles that can seem overwhelming at times.

Yesterday I read a devotional in Indeed; “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (I Corinthians 4:7) What a good reminder that we, as the author said, are “molded mud” so that God’s strength and power can be seen in us without putting the focus on the “pot.” It reminds me of the statement by John the Baptist when he said about Jesus; “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” (John 3:30) That sure is not the usual desire of my “flesh” but something that I continue to strive toward.

Thanks again for your encouragement and prayers. Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

Strength from struggles

There are times when it feels like my heart could break. Tonight marks ten months since we stood beside Carol’s bed as she took that last labored breath. I came home from the office this evening and did a little yard work but I have to admit that I am not too motivated. My goal these days seems to be to keep things looking good enough so as not to embarrass our dear neighbors.

I was reading Carol’s blogs from a year ago and reminded that we were still at the lake at this time after being at Justin and Laura’s shower in Michigan. Carol was having much difficulty with nausea and extreme tiredness and wrote on this day a year ago: “Someone sent this piece of wisdom: ‘It is from the struggle, not the victory, that we gain strength.’ And I was wishing my struggles to go away, at least for a little while. I need to focus on the strength I can gain from continuing to struggle.” I am sure that is good advice for me with my adjustments which certainly are nothing compared to what Carol faced.

Today prior to our prayer time at the office, we focused on the praise and worship of our Lord. I am so blessed to be part of such a wonderful group of encouragers. And I am reminded that praise and worship is where I need to direct my thoughts as I encounter struggles. This morning during my daily reading of The Message I started the book of Romans. A couple of verses come to mind; “Through him [Jesus] we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus. You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ!”

I am thankful for that amazing gift and for the health and strength that He provides. Each of you dear ones are also a great blessing. Your calls and notes are always appreciated.

Love,

Chuck

Back in Charlotte

The Chicago trip to welcome grandson Jeremy home on his return from Israel turned out to be a much larger event than planned. Our original plan was that Sue would come from Michigan and me from Charlotte but it turned into a family reunion. Sue and Jeff decided to go a day early and stay over night at a hotel. Justin and Laura joined them and James and Liz along with Joshua and Lydia came from Wisconsin. When we heard about their plans, Keith, Gavin, Calli and I all decided to join the group and to our surprise when we got to the hotel, Karin also joined us coming directly from her law classes. We had a wonderful time together that evening and then had a BIG surprise for Jeremy when he arrived.

What a tremendous experience he had studying in Israel this past semester. Our time went all too fast but we were able to hear about a few of his experiences. I know that we are all eager to hear more at a later date. Our time together was far too short, but we all needed to get back to our responsibilities. We will continue our visit together at a later date.

I returned to the lake where friends from Michigan stopped to spend some time with me on their trip home after five months in Charlotte and Florida. We had a fun time catching up with each other and working together on a few tasks. What a blessing friends and family are!

I drove back to Charlotte today and had a nice uneventful trip. The mountains are beautiful with the leaves displaying many shades of green and the Dogwood and Redbuds added extra color to the landscape. There has been plenty or rain so everything looks so fresh.

Tomorrow is an early morning for me. I will be at the office by 4:30 am to go pick up donated bread for the mission. It is a blessing to be able to supply the guest house and dining rooms with these free items. Also as we have extra, the folks working at the office get to benefit by it too. With that in mind, I had better get things put away and to bed early to catch up on my rest after a nearly twelve hour drive today.

Love to you all,

Chuck

Trip went well

My trip to Indiana went well with a few showers along the way which I trust will continue on down to Charlotte where it is getting rather dry again. I found father swan on patrol in the lake so I am assuming that the mother is keeping the nest warm until the eggs hatch. Hopefully we will have some little ones by the next time I come. The water is so high this year that she was unable to use the usual nesting site and I am unable to see where she is located. Tomorrow I will go out on the water and see if I can find her.

I enjoyed dinner this evening with Keith and and the children at their home and plan to head back to the lake shortly, aiming for an early bed time. I was on the road at 5:00 AM so am feeling a bit tired now. With a good nights sleep I will be up and refreshed tomorrow.

I am thankful for your prayers and for another safe trip.

Love,

Chuck

Stay alert...be in prayer

I just finished reading the gospel of Matthew in The Daily Message and I was especially moved by the three prayers of Jesus in Gethsemane (26:36-46) and the disciples that He had taken along that could not stay awake. Verse 41 in The Message was a special reminder to me:

“Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there is another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.”

I can sure relate to that. Temptations can be so subtle that I need to avoid that “old dog” syndrome, keeping alert on a moment by moment basis. We see all too frequently, examples of lives turned upside down due to the failure to keep alert to temptations that regularly cross our paths.

Tomorrow I plan to leave early in the morning for our Indiana lake house, and from there I will travel on to Chicago to meet grandson Jeremy who will be flying in from Israel. This has been a tremendous semester of learning for him and I am anxious to catch up with him in more detail than we could manage by his blog and email. Our Indiana grandchildren Gavin and Calli plan to go with me which will add to the enjoyment. Daughter Sue will be coming in also from Michigan so we will have a fairly good welcoming committee on hand for his arrival. Do pray that Jeremy’s connections and that his flights will work out as planned. Also for safety for him and the others that will travel by road.

I am thankful to the Lord for the health and strength that He continues to provide. It is always a blessing to be together with family members when we live so many miles from each other.

I am thankful for each one of you too that continue to hold me up in prayer and keep in contact with me. You are a blessing! My adjustments would be much more difficult without you.

Love to you all,

Chuck

Jeremy's incredible day

As most of you are aware, grandson Jeremy has been living in Jerusalem doing a semester of study as a student at Moody Bible Institute. I have been thrilled with the occasional blogs that he puts up to show some photographs about what he is seeing and doing as well as making some very insightful comments about what he is seeing and learning. His last blog was a thriller! The following are a few excerpts:

"Saturday was one of the best days of my life. Seriously, it was incredible...We went to the Coptic Church...and after walking around for awhile, guess who shows up? Ole Sammr...He just shows up in random places. But I talked with him, realizing that God had crossed our paths miraculously for a reason. God helped me to lay out the gospel for him one more time, telling him that he HAD to make a decision, he couldn't wait because Satan would snatch the gospel from his heart if he waited. We talked, we prayed. The spiritual war inside of Sammr was visible on this face...And he made his choice, he decided to follow Jesus for the rest of his life! (HALLELUJAH!) We prayed together, I gave him a big hug and was able to point him to other Christians in the area that would help him in his walk. It was so humbling! I DID NOTHING. God worked in everything..." To read the whole story and view photographs, go to http://hemustbecomegreater.blogspot.com.

This evening friends are picking me up for a concert. Saturday I am having a group in for a Low Country Boil dinner which is my first attempt. I have warned everyone that we may have to send out for pizza if I goof. Sunday I will be joining some friends at their home for dinner. What a blessing to have friends!

Love,

Chuck

Good reminders

I awoke this morning with the words of several hymns going through my sleepy mind. The only one that I could reconstruct in part was God Will Take Care of You. A good reminder for me when those moments of anxiety creep in.

In my daily reading I completed Deuteronomy with Moses passing leadership responsibilities on to Joshua after having a glimpse of the Promised Land, but unable to enter himself due to his disobedience. Today, coming to the end of the book of Joshua, I was challenged by Joshua’s final words to Israel in chapter 23. As I read the chapter I asked myself if my final months and weeks of conversations will be as intentional? The next question was; will I be given advance knowledge of the time of my final breath here on earth? Carol was given a 2 ½ year indication and then a final knowledge to within days, so that she was able to be certain everything was in order and all goodbyes were said. It was a very special time to be with a very special lady! We can learn much from the last day experiences of those who pass through that curtain of death ahead of us.

A few random thoughts from chapter 23 (The Message) that challenged me: “I’m an old man, I’ve lived a long time. You have seen everything that God has done to these nations because of you. He did it because he’s GOD, your God. He fought for you…Now, stay strong and steady…Hold tight to GOD, your God, just as you’ve done up to now…Now vigilantly guard your souls: Love GOD, your God…As you can see, I’m about to go the way we all end up going. Know this with all your heart, with everything in you, that not one detail has failed of all the good things GOD you God, promised you. It has all happened. Nothing’s left undone – not so much as a word.” Challenging thoughts that hold tremendous promise in very challenging days!

I trust that you will have a blessed weekend with family and friends.

Love to you all,

Chuck

Delightful time!

It was a long but an uneventful drive back home from Indiana. Grand daughter Calli packed me a wonderful lunch which included many healthy snack items that kept me chewing much of the way. There were several showers along the way but nothing that was heavy enough to cause any delay and I was able to get through Charlotte before the five o’clock rush got under way.

It was delightful being with many of our family members for the Easter weekend. Great conversation, delicious food, and some challenging games filled our days and evenings. Easter morning there were greetings of “He is risen” with the response “He is risen indeed.” We heard a wonderful message at church about the empty cross, the empty tomb and the empty burial clothes and following dinner had an egg hunt for the grandchildren that were there. With our clever hiding places, I suspect that we may continue to find a missed egg now and then around the yard this summer.

I thank God for the health and strength that he continues to give me to be able to make these trips to be with the family. I appreciate so much your prayers and the phone calls checking on my progress as I travel. It will be an early bedtime tonight.

Love to you all,

Chuck

Safe trip

My trip to Indiana went well with beautiful blue skies all of the way and a little heavy fog in the West Virginia mountains which slowed me a bit. It is wonderful to be here and see evidences of spring. The lake is at the highest level we have seen, floating off two sections of one of our piers which need to be retrieved. One swan came out to greet me, so I suspect that mother is sitting on the nest. We will be getting boats and the canoe out this weekend and I will go out to locate her. It is always fun to see the little family swimming by later in the year.

Presently I am here alone, but Karin, Keith and Calli will soon be arriving and Gavin will return later in the day from a ski trip in Colorado. Sue and Jeff along with Justin and Laura will be coming for the weekend also. We will miss Lisa, James, Liz and family, Jeremy who is still studying in Jerusalem and Julianna. Hopefully I will be able to catch up with them later this spring.

In preparation for Easter I have been reading a book by Erwin Lutzer, Cries from the Cross. What an ordeal of trials Jesus endured before Annas and Caiaphas, nights in a dungeon, more trials, and flogging then forced to carry his own cross. Then the hours nailed to that cross struggling to take a breath, experiencing unbelievable pain. As I read the chapters visualizing his suffering, his anguish and yet his compassion toward everyone around him, I am amazed. The love that He expressed is beyond my imagination as his focus was upon the outcome, the victory that would be accomplished. Not his discomfort!

As I listened to CDs of messages and song on the trip, my mind kept going back to how focused upon the result Jesus was in spite of the jeers and pain that He experienced. I was reminded of the importance for me also. It sure is easy to get all wrapped up with the challenges of the moment and forget my real focus.

I trust that this will be an especially meaningful Friday for each of us and that you will have a blessed Easter as we celebrate the risen Jesus.

Love to you all,

Chuck

Blessed to be a blessing

Thanks to all of you wonderful friends that continue to pray and encourage me. I was amazed at the number of responses I had from my last blog. I am doing well thanks to a loving Lord and encouraging friends.

Thinking ahead to Good Friday and Easter I was reading Isaiah 53. Referring to Jesus, verses 3-5 tell us that “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!” How amazing that He was rejected by those around Him, but then I am reminded of how often I too have rejected Him in numerous ways during the busyness of my day.

I believe that Richard Foster said it well: “Today the heart of God is an open wound of love. He aches over our distance and preoccupation. He mourns that we do not draw near to him. He grieves that we have forgotten him. He weeps over our obsession with muchness and manyness. He longs for our presence.”

I trust that this Easter season will be a time of drawing nearer to Jesus for each of us. My plans are to spend a long weekend at our lake house with as many of the family members as can make it. It seems like an extremely long time since we were all together at Christmas!

Please continue to pray for dear friend Ross. Major surgery is scheduled for April 9 to remove a large tumor wrapped completely around his colon and attached to the top of his bladder. Pray that the six weeks of 24-hour chemotherapy and thirty radiation treatments have reduced the tumor, simplifying this delicate surgery. Also pray that biopsies of lymph nodes will be negative and that recovery will be complete.

How blessed we are to have such a loving and caring God! Freely work in and through me I pray!

Love to you all,

Chuck

My Week

Emotionally, this has been one of the more difficult weeks for me. I cannot identify any specific reason other than that the deceiver has been busy. My response to that thought repeatedly has been “greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world.” This morning as I awoke early thinking about the past week, I reviewed each day and how the Lord both spoke to me through His word and through several of His choice servants who stopped to chat, called, sent a note or invted me for a meal. I wrote out a list for each day and the blessings they held. I could not believe how frequent those contacts were throughout the week and how often I had taken them for granted.

Several readings in Indeed this week took their topic from Psalm 34 which has caused me to reread the Psalm several times when I could not sleep. I believe that I am beginning to “hear” what God is trying to say to me through His Word.

“I will praise the LORD at all times, I will constantly speak his praises.” (vs. 1) The author challenges us to imagine what would happen if we let every thought and every breath bless God, reminding us that; “Underlying everything we go through and every responsibility we’re given is the loving hand of a God who is leading us closer to Himself.”

“Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy.” (vs. 5a) Some thoughts from this encouraging Psalm were that its promises are extravagant, its message comforting and its priorities our pattern: “We are to praise God first, seek Him second, and then look to Him in gratitude and love.”

“Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!” (vs. 8) I liked the thought that when we are in a desperate situation – relational, economic, physical or spiritual and we call out to God, we’re worshiping! The author reminds us that; “In our depths, His heights are more visible. In our depravity, His righteousness shines brighter. In our poverty, His riches are so much more appreciated that they ever would have been otherwise.”

“The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.” (vs. 17) The author says “He (God) wants to deliver us from the internal captivity we face – the emotional anguish, the sense of dread, the worries about our future, the idols that we clutch…We know God better than to think He’s obsessed about our circumstances without giving attention to our hearts. The heart is where He delivers first. The circumstances almost always follow afterward.”

Hopefully that gives you a brief picture of where my thoughts have been traveling during the week, making my heart stronger, I trust, for the next challenge.

You each are a great encouragement to me. I thank God for you! I continue to pray for you and for your specific needs that I am aware of.

Have a blessed weekend and new week!

Love to each one of you,

Chuck

All must be well

I awoke early today thinking about our Easter gathering one year ago. Yes, the 23rd was Easter Day 2008. We were blessed to have all sixteen of our family with us at our lake house in Indiana. The morning greeting was “The Lord is risen. He is risen indeed. Hallelujah.” We enjoyed attending the early church service, brunch together and an exciting egg hunt with 2-year-old great grandson Joshua. Dozens and dozens of eggs were collected and I was still finding an occasional one hidden in the bushes many weeks later.

It was a time of great joy reflecting upon the Lord’s goodness to each of us and being together as a family. There was also some serious discussion about eternity and we distributed copies of the book One Minute After You Die by Erwin Lutzer. In the afternoon we had the promised discussion about possible funeral plans with our daughters, receiving their blessing for the thoughts which we had. We were so thankful for the extra weeks for Carol that the Lord blessed us with, making it possible to be at Justin and Laura’s wedding in Michigan on June 21 and then being able to get back to Charlotte in preparation for Carol’s “arrival” on July 8th.

Upon our return home, Carol quoted an old hymn by M. Peters which spoke to our hearts:

Through the love of God our Savior
All will be well
Free and changeless is His favor
All, all is well
Precious is the blood that healed me
Perfect is the grace that sealed me
Strong is the hand stretched out to shield me
All must be well.

I expect a bright tomorrow
All will be well
Faith can sing through days of sorrow
All, all is well
On our Father’s love relying
Jesus every need supplying
Or in living or in dying
All must be well.

With both joy and pain I reflect upon those days past. But with hope in His future, I am determined to continue on as He gives strength and health until it is my time to pass through that curtain and join Carol and our loved ones that have gone ahead.

Thanks for your prayers. They do sustain me!

Love,

Chuck

Last Words

I have been having a bit of internet trouble but hopefully that is now resolved thanks to good friends that come to my rescue. Hopefully this blog will go out.

It has been fun to have my cousin Joylynn spending a few days with me as she attends a conference in Charlotte. Visitors are always a blessing! Today I am having a few couples for dinner as we say good by to friends Royce and Beverly that faithfully come each winter to volunteer their labor at the mission. They are a tremendous encouragement to each of us.

I awoke this morning thinking about Easter which is soon coming and last recorded words. The last words of individuals are frequently some of the most memorable, often giving us a brief glimpse into their heart as they are about to face death and what their belief system offers them for the future. I noticed a list of several the other day. “Farewell my children. I go to your father.” (Marie Antoinette) “Oh do not cry. Be good children and we will meet in heaven.” (Andrew Jackson) “Lord help my poor soul.” (Edgar Allen Poe) “I die hard but am not afraid to go.” (George Washington) “See in what peace a Christian even dies.” (Joseph Addson, writer) We read that Jesus last words were; “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

As I was reading King David’s last words (2 Samuel 23) I was challenged by his words; “GOD’S Spirit spoke through me, his words took shape on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke to me…” God spoke to him and through him!

As I read that, I am challenged. First to be listening so that I hear Him speaking, and second to respond to what ever He is saying to me. I seems that I can get so occupied in my work, responsibilities, relationships or what ever, and fail to hear Him speaking. And thus be unavailable for Him to speak to or through me.

Lord, keep me from excessive busyness and oblivious to what you are wanting to say to me. Help me to be quick to hear what you are saying to me through your Word and ready to respond according to your will.

I trust that you all have a blessed weekend and new week.

Love,

Chuck.

Earnest prayer

Sunday morning I received a call that our friend David Pfurr collapsed from a massive heart attack. It was a tremendous shock for me, but even more so for his wife Judith who found him. We have prayed much for David over the years, and on Christmas Eve 2004 he received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. In November 2005 we celebrated their 25th anniversary which was very special for all of us. On Wednesday we celebrated his life during a beautiful service at their church. Join me in praying for Judith as she adjusts to life without David.

Judith has been a tremendous blessing to Carol and me as she has served as Head Nurse in our medical office as well as being a dear friend. During Carol’s battle with cancer, Judith was an absolute miracle when it was time to once again find a vein to obtain blood for analysis. The chemo treatments had broken down Carol’s veins to the extent that it was extremely difficult to obtain needed specimens. But Judith always was able to locate an access point with minimal discomfort, which was not possible for many nurses.

I have been thinking about so many answers to prayer since David’s home going and am reminded about James statement in 5:16 where he states; “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” (NLT) I am convicted about being more earnest in my prayers, but admittedly that can be hard work.

Yesterday I read in grandson Jeremy’s blog (hemustbecomegreater.blogspot.com) that he has not been feeling well. He is studying in Jerusalem this semester with a group of college students. It seems to be a "bug" that is going around causing a painful cough and chest congestion. He is on antibiotics which I am praying will clear the problem shortly. Do join me in praying for him. I have been enjoying his observations and the photographs that he puts up on his blog. It sounds like a wonderful learning experience. He tells me that his sickness has been a blessing because he has been forced to slow down a bit which is an opportunity to be more productive in his homework and gives him time to learn Greek and Hebrew which was not part of his plan. Wow...there is an example of making lemonade when receiving lemons.

Thanks so much to all of you for your faithful encouragement and earnest prayers!

Love,

Chuck

Peace about death

Friends are a tremendous encouragement! What a delight to have dear friends from Michigan spend time with me this week. Our days and evenings were filled with catching up on each others lives and remembering many events that we experienced together over the years. We even managed to squeeze in a few extra hours to attend the Charlotte Spring Show and enjoy the beautiful exhibits with waterfalls and an abundance of gorgeous spring flowers bursting from their winter’s nap. It was a sample of what we can expect here very shortly, but is still a good number of weeks off for Michigan.

Carol’s cancer buddy John is still having a very difficult time. His past troubles continue to persist and the new chemo has put him flat in bed with exhaustion. In addition, wife Mary Ella has picked up the “bug” which has been going around and she is continuing to care for him while trying to “nurse” herself and avoid giving the bug to John. I am sure you get the picture. Please join me in what James (Chap. 5)calls effectual fervent prayer for both of them.

Great news this week was that friend Ray who went in to have a spot on his lung checked found that it has disappeared! Also Anne in Alabama got a favorable report from tests to check the source of some discomfort. I am reminded how easy it is to forget to thank the Lord and take His goodness for granted…Thank YOU Lord!

We are two weeks into a training session for new missionary candidates that plan to go to various locations around the world. Each morning when we meet together to pray for those serving around the globe, we take time to hear testimonies of a couple of the candidates and it is always thrilling to hear how our God is working in so many different ways in multitudes of lives. One of our candidates told about being on a short-term trip overseas, working in the pediatrics area of a hospital, and after a difficult time of adjustment ministering to extremely sick children, had…“developed a peace about death.” That thought has continued to come to my mind. How difficult it must be to see little ones dying of HIV/AIDS and maladies that they had no control of acquiring.

I had to ask myself…Have I complete peace about death? I felt that my rating was quite good until one of our internal publications came across my desk about an hour later. In it was a listing of six or seven of our members that have passed away since the last edition. After glancing at the names, I found myself noticing that the ages of every individual but one was over 85 years old, and thinking about Carol I asked…”Why so soon?” Oops…My “peace rating” is not as high as I thought.

This week by “coincidence” the topics in Indeed have been about God’s unlimited wisdom, power, love and grace. So how can I even begin to ask Him why? I can’t say that I like it, but I think that I do “get it” a bit better. I am so human and He is so God! As the author observed, when “applying our finite experience to an infinite being, the result is a distorted view.”

Thank you Lord that we are here by your plan and will depart according to your plan as we are obedient to You. What a privilege it is to be your child and to have the ability to experience your unlimited wisdom, power, love and grace on this earth and look forward to an eternity with you!

Love to you all,

Chuck

Trusting

I awoke early thinking about so many friends going through difficult times, lifting them up in prayer as they came to mind. First on my mind was Carol’s cancer buddy, John. He did not get a favorable report from the oncologist this week. The cancer continues to be growing, he has pretty much lost his voice again, has little appetite and is in considerable pain from the crack in his pelvis caused by the cancer. He will be starting on a new chemo program. This is an extremely difficult time for him and Mary Ella. Do join me in praying for them.

Several friends have passed through that veil since Carol’s passing, and their spouses are facing the same adjustments that I am. Judy, Julie, Annie, Ivan, Linda and Joyce are all in my prayers as they adjust to life alone. After so many years as couples, returning to a single life is quite an adjustment.

Psalm 37 comes to mind. Here are some verses that are speaking to me at the moment:

“Don’t worry…Trust in the Lord and do good…Take delight in the LORD…Commit everything you do to the LORD, Trust him, and he will help you…Be still in the presence of the LORD…Stop your anger…Do not envy others.” Verses 23-24 especially spoke to me; “The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.”

Lord take each one of your children that are going through difficult times by the hand. Keep each of us growing in our trust in you, and from stumbling as we continue on to that joyous day when we meet you on the other side.

Have a blessed weekend!

Love,

Chuck

Keep me focused!

What a change a day can make. Weather can make a quick change and our emotions seem to follow a similar pattern. There are times when I believe that the weather can exert some control over our emotions if we are not watchful. But I can’t complain about the sunny weather this weekend. As I watch the robins coming by on their way north, spring can’t be far off.

Saturday was a busy day catching up on laundry and housework. Then I went outside to do some trimming and spring yard preparation. It hit me…every spring Carol and I did this together, preparing the plantings that we had selected and planted years ago when the house was built. Now I am on my own with no one to share the activity or to even care if it looks okay or not. Momentarily I fell apart until I was reminded, I suspect by the Holy Spirit, that I was on the wrong side in my thinking. Soon I was back on track and thanked the Lord for the many wonderful spring activities that we enjoyed together in past years. Then picking up the tools I got to work.

Sunday we studied the Apostle Paul’s prayers in Thessalonians. Teacher Tom asked us to select three specific items of prayer from the fifteen that were taken from the text, that we would like prayed for ourselves. As I read the list, I would like to have all fifteen prayed for me, but I did narrow it down to three that seemed to lead the list for me at the time. I made the following selections, but tomorrow I suspect the requests may change: (1) “May the Lord strengthen you and guard you against the evil one.” (2) “May the Lord Jesus be glorified in you, according to His grace.” (3) May your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus.”

In the afternoon I had a visit from my cousin and his family from Michigan. What a joy it always is to have family and friends going out of their way to stop in, call or write.

Lord keep me aware of all the many blessings that you provide, and focused on being available for you to work in and through me for YOUR glory!

I trust that you will have a wonderful week.

Love,

Chuck

What is Jesus doing?

After our fun-filled days, Lisa and I have safely returned to our homes. Thanks so much for praying! There were those emotional moments for me but the blessing of family and friends is always a tremendous encouragement.

We attended The Global Village Church with Paul and Ruth where we saw several old friends and were thrilled to see how rapidly the church is growing. They truly are committed to their Mission Statement; “A church committed to growth through evangelism and discipleship” and God is blessing their efforts.

With all of the wonderful meals, I feel that I have gained several pounds. We had a special meal with Bob and Marcia at their beautiful home on the ocean. Bob continues to feel well as he diligently battles lung cancer and seeks God’s guidance day by day. We also spent an evening with the Johnsons getting updated on their lives and their delightful grandson with Down Syndrome. He is such a joy in each of their lives.

As I winged my way back to Charlotte, gazing at the fluffy clouds thousands of feet below, I was reflecting on all of the wonderful experiences, sharing lives during our visit. The thought “What is Jesus Doing” came into my mind as I recalled those experiences. A few days earlier I had read an article in Indeed titled WIJD which was a variation of the WWJD (What would Jesus do) phenomenon and it has prompted me to frequently ask that question of myself at the end of the day. Often I make a brief journal entry on that topic before rolling into bed so that I can return to that page at a later date to be reminded of His goodness, grace and mercy.

I had a call from Judy last evening. She lost her husband Joe to cancer just three weeks ago and is diligently working on making that huge adjustment in her life without Joe. It is a difficult time for her, but it is also evident that God is at work in her life giving strength and courage to carry on and serve Him. He is working!

A final thought from that Indeed article: “He indwells us to take us where we should go and lead us away from where we’ve been…We live by means of a living Lord.”

Love,

Chuck

Beautiful Bahahas

Just a quick blog to let you know that our trips went well. Both flights were actually a little ahead of time and flights were full to capacity.

We are enjoying the beauty of the Bahamas, going out for an extended boat ride with Paul and Ruth yesterday afternoon and the the evening exploring The Digs at Atlantis, which is amazing with all of the beautiful fish and artifacts that make you feel that you are actually down deep below the once great city. Today we are heading to church and then will be getting together with a Bahamian friend from college days in the afternoon.

This a bit of an emotional trip, having made it with Carol just one year ago when she became very ill here and I had great concern about getting her back home. Just last Saturday I found a note in a CD addressed to Carol's sister as she must have planned to bring it with her and forgot it last year. We are listening to the beautiful music this morning which helps get us ready for the day.

I trust that you each have a blessed day.

Love,

Chuck

A very safe place!

I was thinking about Lady Wisdom’s words in Proverbs 8:34-37 as I awoke this morning:

“Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me,
awake and ready for me each morning,
alert and responsive as I start my day’s work.
When you find me, you find life, real life,
to say nothing of GOD’s good pleasure.
But if you wrong me, you damage your very soul;
when you reject me, you’re flirting with death.” (The Message)

Wisdom is what I need each morning and throughout the day. We are bombarded by all sorts of so-called wisdom, but it is God’s wisdom the is really essential in our lives. Thank you Lord for your Word and for your Holy Spirit that are available to us!

Tomorrow I am taking daughter Lisa to the Bahamas to spend a few days with Carol’s sister and her husband. I am looking forward to that time together and trust it will be a special time of refreshment for both of us. Hopefully I will be able to get a blog out from there to keep you updated. Last year at this time, Carol and I had just returned from the Bahamas and she had much digestive trouble there as you possibly recall, but it was so good for her to have that special time with her sister, Ruth. A verse that came to her mind and she mentioned in the blog was Psalm 68:19 “Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior! For each day he carries us in his arms” Carol’s comment about that verse was; “That’s a very save place to be.”

I trust that each of us will be aware of those arms of love about us today.

Love,

Chuck