Tonight we're out in ministry, absent our son who is at a youth retreat. On our way to ministry we stopped in my old home town where most of my relatives have been buried. Mom and Dad, as well as grandparents and cousins are buried there and we wanted to pay our respects. As an added treat we were able to meet up with one of my sisters and laugh about some of the funny times growing up in our rather large family - 8 kids!
Afterward, we headed for our final destination for ministry tomorrow. After checking into our hotel and having a wonderful siesta (nap), we headed to the home of our pastor friend for dinner. They had invited us to their home for dinner and fellowship - just a time of talking about everything that was going on in our lives. We could have opted out and stopped by a fast food place or all gone out to dinner some place, but there is just something about spending time with good friends.
We had a blast, enjoyed some great food, got beat at ping pong (but it was close!), and had an opportunity to talk about things that one would not normally talk about. That's the great thing about good friends - it's a trusted relationship where you feel safe talking about topics that would normally not arise: where ideas can receive some sound wisdom and a reality check it needed:).
There is another friend who the Scriptures tell us sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). As one who has three brothers and four sisters, I know that family relationships can be close, but never as close as the relationship that Jesus Christ wants to have with each and every one of us. A trusted relationship where I can be myself and share every concern, frustration, heartbreak, and hope. A friend who has suffered like I have (Hebrews 4:15), and who knows how I feel. A friend who paid a valuable price (John 3:16) so that I might have an eternal relationship with a God who cares for each of us.
I am so thankful for good friends, and even more so for The Good Friend I found in Jesus Christ. How about you? Do you need a friend like that? All you have to do is believe (Romans 10:9-10) and invite Jesus to be your best friend and Lord of your life, asking his forgiveness of all the things you might have done that are not pleasing to him; allowing you to experience the best friend a person could ever have. It can be so - for every one of us (Romans 10:13)!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
He Knows.
I know it's been quite a while since my last post (o.k., over a MONTH!), but I've struggled with what to share. These past couple of months have been challenging and busy with ministry, family and national office responsibilities. The seasons seem to be ready to change and trying to discern God's will in all of it has been a full time focus.
With that said, it was interesting that I got a call from a dear friend, about to turn 80, who said that they just felt so impressed to call and pray for me! How encouraging to get a phone call from half way around the world by someone you respect, who just felt impressed to call and encourage you. I was overwhelmed to say the least and quite humbled by it all. I'm always open to the prayers and encouragement of others, so we had a great time of visiting about the past and future - then culminated our conversation with prayer for each other.
When I hug up the phone, I just sat still for a moment and pondered the goodness of God. Some folks don't believe in God and I respect their views - but obviously and respectfully disagree. I look around this old planet with all the intricacies of life and the precise balance in it all and ask - how can there not be a God? Scientists have looked all throughout the universe as far as they have been able to see and cannot find life like we have on earth. The human body itself is quite an amazing creation - especially when everything is working the way it was designed.
The Holy Bible, or the "Scriptures" as they are sometimes called, tells us in Psalm 19 verse 1 that "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 139 verse 14 shares that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made," and to think that God even knows when we need someone to encourage us is quite amazing. But that's the God who longs to know each of us better, helping us see that we can trust him in every situation - it every area of our lives. Thanks God...for being such an awesome creator, who actually cares so much about your creation, that you get involved in our everyday lives.
With that said, it was interesting that I got a call from a dear friend, about to turn 80, who said that they just felt so impressed to call and pray for me! How encouraging to get a phone call from half way around the world by someone you respect, who just felt impressed to call and encourage you. I was overwhelmed to say the least and quite humbled by it all. I'm always open to the prayers and encouragement of others, so we had a great time of visiting about the past and future - then culminated our conversation with prayer for each other.
When I hug up the phone, I just sat still for a moment and pondered the goodness of God. Some folks don't believe in God and I respect their views - but obviously and respectfully disagree. I look around this old planet with all the intricacies of life and the precise balance in it all and ask - how can there not be a God? Scientists have looked all throughout the universe as far as they have been able to see and cannot find life like we have on earth. The human body itself is quite an amazing creation - especially when everything is working the way it was designed
The Holy Bible, or the "Scriptures" as they are sometimes called, tells us in Psalm 19 verse 1 that "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 139 verse 14 shares that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made," and to think that God even knows when we need someone to encourage us is quite amazing. But that's the God who longs to know each of us better, helping us see that we can trust him in every situation - it every area of our lives. Thanks God...for being such an awesome creator, who actually cares so much about your creation, that you get involved in our everyday lives.
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