Lazarus Come Forth!

My pastor is doing a series leading up to Easter and last week he talked about Jesus when He performed the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. This event turned the tide of opinion for some and they began to plot against him. Imagine the people who saw Jesus call forth Lazarus from his grave. As he came forth he stood before them in grave clothes that had to be shed.

Just as Jesus called forth Lazarus, each of us who are saved were "dead in our trespasses" and have been called up out of the pit to new life in Christ. Have you heard Him call your name? One day over 31 years ago Jesus called, "Pam Come Forth!" and I came up out of the depths to stand in newness of life. I still had my grave clothes on but soon, they were falling aside, exchanged for a garment of praise. Oh, what joy, a new creature in Christ, peace that passed understanding, forgiveness, forever ahead and the pit of the past behind.

Just as Jesus performed a miracle that day when He called Lazarus, each new life of transformation is a miracle performed by the Author and Finisher of faith. He is long suffering, merciful, not willing that any should perish. Have you heard Him call your name?

Amy Carmichael, Missionary to India

I just finished a biography about Amy and was inspired by her journey. She was turned down in the early years by mission agencies because of her health. She suffered what was called in that day neuralgia, which seemed to speak to me about my battle with fibromyalgia. It was difficult at times but she pressed on. After finally ending up in India, she ministered for over fifty years there, the last several years mostly confined to her room after a fall.

Amy said she preferred to burn out rather than rust out! Her story gave me renewed vision to press on in spite of the days when the physical ailments cause a distraction. There is work to be done, He has a purpose for me, and He promises fruitfulness as our age advances. What joy! God is never done using His saints though the world may discount our worth as we age.

Hot Air Balloons

When I think of hot air balloons, I think of them soaring against the backdrop of a blue sky, soaring unhindered as they are designed to do. But what about us? Are we soaring like we were created to do in Christ? Ephesians 1:3 tells us we are blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. The first Bible study I attended was on the Book of Ephesians and I remember being in awe that we are accepted in the Beloved with a spiritual inheritance :-)

Recently I read Galatians 5:1, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." The scripture once more reminded me of hot air balloons and how we are meant to soar in victory. However, sometimes we allow ourselves to become tethered again to the ground, entangled in the yoke of bondage and sin, earth bound rather than living our position in Christ in heavenly places.

When we find ourselves tethered it is time to take inventory of what we have allowed to tie us down when we were designed to soar! Maybe the basket has taken on too much weight and it is time to throw some of the useless spiritual saboteurs overboard. In Ps. 51:12 David prayed that the joy of his salvation would be restored; may we do likewise if it has been awhile since we have sailed through the blue skies.

The February Flood

In 29 years we have had a bit of water now and then in the basement but nothing like The February Flood of 2011. When I looked downstairs that morning and saw a plastic container floating merrily by the basement stairs I knew this was unlike anything we had ever experienced.

Perspective helps. I was thankful that the water wasn't in our living space like I have seen many times on newscasts. Thankful the house wasn't swept away as I have seen countless times too. We had an irritation on our hands but not a tragedy. Cleaning the basement has been long overdue with nearly 30 years accumulation so this was a good opportunity to get a start on the clutter; we had no choice now.

I discovered something about these kinds of chores - they are much more fun when a grandchild is present. Alex came to help us out - a strong, healthy 13 year old with a good attitude. Now that is a silver lining to a cloud! He spent the day and ran up and down the steps numerous times with loads of junk for the trash and loads of treasures for the thrift. At the end of a long day we had a bonfire in the back yard with some of the drier boxes that the trash couldn't accommodate. It was a boy's reward for a day of hard work. For a brief moment I felt I was transported back about 13 years in time and it was David poking around the fire pit. There's something about boys and fire - their eyes dance with excitement and they are focused on the seriousness of the "job" set before them. Now it was Alex before me...and yet, I thought I saw a glimpse of David in an earlier time :-)

A grandson is a treasure for sure but one who loves Jesus and wants to hang out with his grandparents is a rare and precious treasure indeed. This grandmother is blessed...and The Flood of 2011 just polished the treasure and made it shine a little brighter.

A Pastor's Heart

On January 10th at 5:30 a.m. the phone rang at my pastor's house. The son of his dear friend in Africa called to tell him that his father had died that morning while preaching. Twenty-five years ago when my pastor was a new missionary in Africa, Pastor John McKay was the national who took him under his wing and taught him how to be a pastor. Pastor McKay always wanted him to come to preach his funeral should he die first. In his words, he had to go; relationships matter more than anything; this was his friend. He went on to tell the church that this would be a personal expense.

Following the service many in the congregation felt compelled that we should come together as a church and pay for his trip. Before that could even occur, by Monday morning someone had come forward to buy the ticket to Africa and another had purchased his own ticket to go as a travel companion. As funds continued to come in throughout the day, Pastor wanted everyone to know that the trip was paid for but he would take the donations in cash to help nationals in need, but only if the donor agreed. He said he was overwhelmed and blessed by all who wanted to support him on this journey.

Yesterday we heard some of the details of the trip. People began arriving on Thursday to camp out for a Saturday funeral. Attendance was more than 700 so tents were erected adjacent to the church. Many came from across Africa to pay their tribute and respect to Pastor McKay and the funeral lasted from 2:00 - 9:30 p.m. Pastor also preached in their church on Sunday morning.

It was a huge blessing to see the Lord move in hearts and provide for Pastor Jerry's trip to his beloved nation of Africa to honor a friend's wishes. We continue to pray for a safe journey home and for abundant fruit from his ministry there.

The Matchless Names of God

Recently I heard the song "I AM" by Mark Schultz. Hearing the powerful words reminded me once more of the significance of the Names of God. As God breathed scripture revealing all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) He further revealed His character through His names. Proverbs 18:10 tells us, "The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe." By way of contrast, verse 11 states, A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination." How true, apart from the Lord people convince themselves that their strength, wisdom, or riches is enough to protect them but it is a vain imagination. Just ask someone who has a terminal illness for which no amount of money or title and influence can purchase a cure.

We are a needy people and yet for every need of every heart God has provided a name to reveal that He is the All Sufficient One. He is our Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel who is our Mediator. When we need wisdom, He is the Wonderful Counselor. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Ancient of Days. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, worthy of our praise and allegiance like no other can ever be. When our heart is broken, He is the Healer of the brokenhearted who bottles our tears and is mindful when the sparrow falls; how much more we are of worth than the sparrows. Do we wonder about our purpose? He is our Creator who has numbered our days before there was but one.

There are times when no earthly friend or companion can reach into our soul, hear the deepest longings, or truly understand our hurt. But, there is One who does and He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He is the Refuge and Shelter where we can flee for comfort and rest. When we fear earthly foes and tremble at the uncertainty of violence, terror, disease, and desertion, He calms our anxious heart and reminds us that He is our Defender and Protector, the Strong Tower, a Fortress, and our Shield.

Be still and know that I am God (Ps. 46:10). Perhaps our hearts can be still when we make it our ambition to know the One we cling to, rely on, and look to for every breath. He is the All Sufficient Saviour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-HIKxnSZSA
I AM by Mark Schultz

Memories of MiMi

MiMi was my grandmother on my father's side. When someone mentions grandparents, I think of MiMi because she was the grandparent who influenced me the most. As memories often seem to do, they flood together in a collage of images that span the years. MiMi would often have us spend the night and she always made you take a bath and get powdered up because she claimed you would sleep better. And then there was her routine of waking you up to use the bathroom before she went to bed. Again, she was adament that this helped one get a better night's sleep.

MiMi made one kind of cookie, an orange cookie made with butter flavored Spry as I recall and with orange rind in the icing. Imagine my excitement a few years ago when a friend at work showed up with orange cookies that looked and tasted just like MiMi's. My sister and I make them, but although they are good, something is missing. I like to tell my grandchildren that it is the secret ingredient of "love" when they like my cooking; maybe that's what's missing.

I remember trips to downtown Akron when O'Neils and Polsky's were in business and ladies dressed up to go to town. We would ride a bus to town and lunch at the Tea Room in the store. Those trips were extra special days when we always brought home something sweet from the Hough Bakery inside O'Neil's and she usually bought me something special as a treat. I don't remember what those things were because they were just things but I do remember the days spent shopping downtown which always included a visit to the 5 and 10 store too.

MiMi would make dough from flour and water and let us roll it out and play with it at her dining room table. I guess it was pre-playdoh days. My mom could never understand why she let us make such a mess but it was always so much fun! Recently as I prepared for Thanksgiving and every square inch of my counter was covered in dishes, I started to lament that I needed a bigger kitchen and then I remembered... MiMi would serve Thanksgiving from her tiny kitchen that really only had room to turn around in. She set up card tables in the living room and as I remember fed 12 of us in her apartment. I never heard her say she needed a bigger kitchen either! Recalling that, I quickly adjusted my attitude and was thankful for the space and the food God provided that day.

Unfortunately, MiMi was plagued with dementia the last 10 - 15 years of her life. I remember going to visit her at Stow Glen Nursing Home. When she didn't recognize us, I told her we were Greg's daughters, Pam and Patte. She got a look of delight and surprise on her face which was fleeting and then we were strangers again. She passed away the spring before turning 90.

Those are the good memories and I'm thankful they overshadow the negative ones that are associated with times of alcoholic excesses and family fights. The holidays always started on a happy note and each time I would hope against hope that it would be different this time. And then as the day wore on and the alcohol took its toll, the memories were tarnished a bit. There is a photograph of her back burned horriby after she fell asleep smoking when I was staying overnight. Thankfully, the mattress burned and not the house, and God spared this little child long ago.

Just the same, somehow I knew she loved me and the precious time spent with her shaped me and gave me a sense of adventure about life because that was her spirt and she had a zest for life. She made every overnight special and every trip to town a grand day. I regret that she was not a woman of faith and family later spoke of her character flaws and failures. But to me as a child, she was MiMi, the one who loved me.