BOOKS FROM GOD

I learn from reading books!  God speaks to me through the books I read.  Over the years, I have realized that God seems to have a divine booklist for me.  Repeatedly, I find that I'm reading just the right book for the time that I'm going through!  This has amazed me over and over again. 

Many times a book I read kicks loose a preaching series. 

Sometimes, I buy these books.  Other times, someone may share a book with me.  I have even picked them up at a yard sale.  Catalyst may send me "just the right book."  Or, I might buy it on Christian Book Distributor's 'Friday Specials'.  But, one-way-or-another, God gets them into my hands.

In sorting through my books recently, I came across a small booklet on prayer by J. O. Fraser.  I had never read it and knew nothing about him.  I almost pitched it, then started flipping through it - this was a God-moment.

J. O. was a wise and successful church planter in the early 1900's among the Lisu people of southwest China.  The title of his booklet is The Prayer of Faith.

An excerpt from a letter he wrote to his friends at home:

I cannot insist too strongly on my own helplessness among these people apart from the grace of God.  Although I have been now ten years in China and have had considerable experience with both Chinese and Lisu, I find myself able to do little or nothing apart from God's going before me and working among men.  Without this I feel like a man who has his boat grounded in shallow water.  Pull or push as he may, he will not be able to make his boat move more than a few inches.  But let the tide come in and lift his boat off the bottom - then he will be able to move it as far as he pleases, quite easily and without friction.  It is indeed necessary for me to go around among our Lisu, preaching, teaching, exhorting, rebuking, but the amount of progress made thereby depends almost entirely on the state of the Spiritual Tide in the village - a condition which you (his friends back home) can control upon your knees as well as I can.

Debbie and I are hoping to go to China at the end of this summer to teach English in a university in Guiyang.  This is not a trip to enjoy the beautiful country.  It will have adversity.  We need prayer now - that we might be accepted and granted a 'Work Visa' by the Chinese government. 

We would also love to have a committed core of friends who will pray for our influence when we go.  Would you conisder being a part of that core?

Our request is simple:

1. Set some kind of trigger that will remind you to pray for us daily (once we go).
2. Be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit to pray upon His prompting!

If you're willing, send us a note or text us or Facebook us.  We'll start a list and try to keep you informed when we go!  Thanks so much!

TEACHING PITTSBURGH-EES

If we get approved to go to China, you may eventually run into a Chinese person here in the States that uses phrases like:

• younz
• buggy (instead of cart)
• red-up-the-house
• Mum (instead of Mom)
• Worshington
• crick (instead of creek)
• Gian Iggle
• Wush (instead of wash)
• rastle (instead of wrestle)
• Stillers (instead of Steelers)
• spicket (instead of faucet)
• dahntahn (instead of downtown)

We hereby vow to do our very best to produce Pittsburgh-ees speaking students who will turn heads everywhere they go and create perplexed looks as people try to figure out how a person from China could have such a strong Pittsburgh way of speaking!  We also vow to grow the Steeler Nation and transplant it to the best of our ability in Guiyang, China - our possible home for the next year.

WORK AT HOME MOMS

I was raised by a work-at-home-Mom!  Although she had held jobs earlier in her life, my Mom chose to stay home and raise her children.  My Dad carried the burden of responsibility for providing for his family.  At times, he worked two jobs to be able to do that.

I admire women who are making the same decision today.  With the reality of the present economy, I'm sure that is is even harder today than it was for my parents. 

There is a security in children whose moms are always available.  They seem more confident and comfortable. 

These moms pay a dear price: repetition!  On a recent visit to our daughter's, Tracie told Debbie:  "Mom, this is the first day since Rylie was born that I haven't changed a diaper!"  So, it's changing diapers, washing clothes, preparing meals, playing with the kids, dressing and undressing them, cleaning the house, washing dishes, trying to shop with kids in the buggy;  over-and-over, day-after-day!

But lives are being shaped!  Values are being formed!  Personalities are in process!  Lessons are being learned!  Priorities are being established!  VITAL WORK!!!!  How important for these tasks to be performed by the one who loves them most!

There are many young moms in our church who are making the choice to be work-at-home-moms!  I admire these women SO MUCH!  I admire the choice that these couples have made.  They may be foregoing some of the extras that a second income could provide;  but they are going to reap a great harvest from the day-by-day investment that's being made in the lives of their kids!

To all of you - you know who you are - I'm standing and applauding!  Great job!  Keep it up!  You've made a good decision!  Your children will rise up and call you "Blessed"!  The work you are doing is the most important job in the world!

I TAUGHT MY DAD TO HUG!

I was seventeen and a freshman in college.  That first fall I was mid-way through a General Psychology class.  We were studying a section on the family.  The text stated the importance of telling your family members that you love them. 

It hit me!  My Dad had never told me that he loved me.  Now I knew that he loved me;  my mom had told me a thousand times:  "You have a good Dad and he loves you."  She seemed to sense his inability to express affection.

In my young mind, this had to change!

I hitch-hiked the 250 miles back to New Brighton that Friday, walked into the house - past my Mom - straight to my Dad and hugged him, kissed him on the cheek, and whispered in his ear:  "I love you, Dad!"

Have you ever hugged an ironing board?

No response.

[I'm guessing that my grandfather (whom I never knew, and who had a serious problem with alcohol) never hugged my Dad and probably never told my Dad that he loved him.] 

When I left to go back to college on Sunday afternoon, I repeated the new ritual.  And did so over and over again every time I was around my father. 

After many months, he began to respond by grunting: "Uh."  After many more months his response became:  "Uh-huh."  After a year or two he began to say, "Me too."  Eventually, he began to respond to my embrace by hugging me back.  After years he was able to respond:  "I love you, too."

And when I was in my mid-forties, he told me that he loved me - unsolicited!  That was a happy day!

CONNECTION GROUPS

I met with our Connection Group leaders last night!  We have eight groups that miniter to nearly one hundred people!  They meet, on average, twice-a-month;  usually in homes.

The leaders are volunteers:

• Connie Griffith
• Laurie Mahosky and Marshal Mahosky
• Bob and Carol Singleton
• Linda Savaet
• Bob and Debbie VanArsdale
• Sam and Julie Sargent
• Hal and Debbie Haire (soon to be replaced by Leanna Thomas)
• Tom Green

Hosts open their homes and offer refreshements - frequently added to by the group members.  Our hosts are (or have been):

• Debbie Haire
• John and Linda Chapman
• Debbie VanArsdale
• Linda Savaet
• Connie Griffith
• Marie Yost
• Kathy Brandt
• Eleanor Jannetti

Each group is unique.  One is made up of largely younger couples.  Another is made up of largely older folks.  Another is an eclectic mix of singles, couples, older and younger!  One group is all women! 

Each group has its own personality!  One has very quiet people.  In another group everybody talks at once!  Another group studies every time they meet!  Still another group rarely meets, but occasionally serves together.

The leaders find and lead their own curriculum.  The leaders meet three times-a-year to share victories, struggles, and for training and inspiration!  Other than that minimal accountability, the groups are largely autonomous.

But it's the stories that make it all worthwhile!  One group recently helped one of their members move!  They were a witness for Christ to a whole trailer court!
Another group gave out home-made bread in a housing development at Christmas!  Members receive focused prayer for their needs. 

Actually, for most of the groups the curriculum is not that important.  It's mostly about SHARING LIFE!  Relationships are the focus of our Connection Groups!  As long as relationships are being deepened and people's needs are being met - we feel we're hitting the target! 

I am so proud of and grateful for these leaders and hosts!  They partner with me in the shepherding role in our church family!  By doing so they bring glory to God! 

I'M A BOOK THIEF

As I sort through my books I have found several that belong to someone else!

Yikes! 

I never intended to steal their books!  They loaned the books to me.  They recommended them to me.  In a couple of cases I asked to borrow the book.  Then, they ended up on my bookshelf and blended in with my own books!

Stolen books, incognito on my shelves! 

My heart is clear - I didn't intend to steal them.  I feel guilt and sorrow over my inadvertant sin.

The implication is clear.  I must return the books!  I packaged one up yesterday and mailed it to its rightful owner.  Meanwhile, because the book had impacted me so powerfully, I got on Amazon and ordered my own copy!  :-)  I should have done that a long time ago!

Some will be handed back to the owner.  Others will be sent through the mail.  An apology will accompany each one.  I REALLY AM sorry to have kept their books so long! 

How many other sins lay hidden beneath the surface of my recognition?

Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me;  cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about;  see for Yourself whether I've done anything wrong - then guide me on the road to eternal life.
Psalm 139:23-24  (TM)

THE SORROW OF SIN

I just read the account (II Samuel 11-12) of David's sin with Bathsheba. 

In these chapters we see the Achille's heel of this good man.  Although David has wives of his own plus wives he inherited from Saul, he still wants Uriah's wife, Bathsheba.

Does this sound familiar?  Do you have desires that are difficult to restrain?  Are there areas where you want more and more - even when you know it would be wrong to have it?

My head is turned - in one way or another - every day!  I often cry to God out loud!  I tell Satan to get lost!  I know that if I fall, people will be hurt;  the consequences will be ugly and painful!

To cover his sin, David had Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, sent into the heat of battle where David knew he would be killed.  Uriah was one of David's "mighty men" - deeply dedicated and loyal to David!  Other soldiers were also killed in this dastardly plot to kill Uriah.  All because of David's out-of-control desire!

Bathsheba conceived.  The Lord caused the baby to be sick.  In spite of David's fasting and prayers, the baby died.  Bathsheba, in a very short period of time, lost her husband and her infant son!  All because of David's out-of-control desire!

God, through the prophet Nathan, announced that:

• murder would visit David's family,
• David's family would rise up against his kingdom, and
• David's son would commit adultery with David's wives.

All because of David's out-of-control desire!

What do we learn from David's story?

1. Our sin distances us from God!  After being intimate with Bathsheba, David's prayers were ineffective!
2. Our sin impacts the lives of others!  All those in our sphere of influence will be affected;  some very directly.
3. Our sin affects our legacy!  It is inevitable;  our sin and disobedience  impacts our children and our future!

APPLICATION
Even though David was a man with a great love for God, he sinned!

We are all vulnerable!  We must be vigilant regarding sin!  Our enemy will come against us when we are alone and when we are most vulnerable!  We must stay connected to other believers and we must stay strong!

PLANTING TREES

I was probably six or seven years old.  My Dad took me along as we drove to a friend's house down on Oak Hill.  In his back yard he had cultivated some silver maple saplings.  We selected about four.

We took them home, dug some holes and planted them in strategic places in our yard.  They varied in height from three to five feet.  It was fun working with my Dad!

Those saplings grew much faster than I did!  Before long, I was climbing them.

Over time, I helped top them several times.  My Mom would comment every time, "Well, Leonard, I think you killed them this time."  I always got the feeling that the neighbors were laughing at our work...

But the next year they would be just beautiful!

Dad and I raked the leaves and burned them in the yard every fall.  I loved that job and the smell of burning leaves is still one of my favorites. 

Hmmm.  Is it because of the smell - or because it takes me back to good times with my Dad? 

The next time I'm in New Brighton, I'll ride past and see if they're still there! 

MEN WHO SHAPED MY EARLY YEARS

My Dad, of course.  He was a man of quiet strength and deep resolve.  I never saw him lose his temper.  I never heard him fight with my Mom.  He was stern, but I never feared him.  He read his Bible and taught an adult Sunday School class.  He was a leader in the church at all levels.  He worked hard (Townsend Company for forty-eight years) and was the major force in forming my work ethic.  He gave me a wonderful, godly heritage. 

Morrison Baker was a leading layman in the New Brighton Free Methodist Church.  He was the song leader until I left home at age seventeen.  He was always the delegate to Annual Conference (usually along with my Dad).  They were both also elected as delegates to the Free Methodist General Conference at least five times.  Morrison was a departmental leader at Cook and Andersen Company.  He was a humble man with a magnanimous spirit and a deep love for God!  I believe that he served as a role model for my father.

Joe Douglas' father had been the pastor of the New Brighton Free Methodist Church many years earlier.  Joe was Mr. Sunday School!  He made visits to scores of families every week.  He was more responsible for the church growing to over 600 than anyone else!  He was a painter by trade.  He and his wife, Helen, had a huge influence on my life.  She was the children's department leader for many years.

I also had a succession of male Sunday School teachers.  Each of these men left their imprint in my developing life!

• Neil Castilucci  [see blog article with his name as title]
• Carl Geissinger  [see blog article with his name as title]
• Paul Funkhouser
• Chuck Peyton
• Jim Rudolph
• Udele Gallagher

There were men who worked with me in the Christian Youth Crusader (CYC) program:

• Bob Curtiss
• Chuck Eckles
• Ray Brandt
• Ollie Druschel
• Joe Douglas
• Neil Castilucci

 Other men in the church also had a strong influence on my life. 

• Wilbert Bischoff was a leading layman who had a great passion for God.  (I was very good friends with his son, Eddie.)  [See blog article titled "Celebration In The Back Pew"]
• Pastor Glenn Hughes (when I was very young I decided that I wanted to be a preacher like him!)
• Pastor Harold Mitchell (his influence was less direct but we shared the same first name and I was close to his son, Denny.)
• Pastor W. P. Jones (he used to grab me, muss my hair, and kiss me when I was leaving church.  I was also close freinds with his twin sons, Daniel and David.  As a young teen I had all of his benedictions memorized.)
• Pastor C. D. Weinel (his 'Rap Sessions' gave us a chance to get to know him;  he never broke our trust!  He didn't sing, but he whistled while the rest of us sang;  I thought that was cool!)
• Pastor Harold Fisher (I admired him for his preaching and for his tender heart.)

I only remember one female Sunday School teacher.  She taught me when I was very young;  her name was Betty Paugh [see blog article with her name as title.]

I am grateful to God that my life was formed and shaped with such a strong
male context!  I'm confident that it has equipped me to be better able to relate to men through my years of ministry! 

THINGS TO DO ON A RAINY DAY IN APRIL

• Sleep in
• Make breakfast at home
• Play 'Hide-n-Seek' in the house with the whole family
• Clean your closet
• Put the Christmas decorations away
• Read a book
• Clean the refrigerator
• Make smores over the stove
• Plan your summer
• Go through the stuff in your junk drawer while watching "Little House On The Prairie"
• Sort through old family pictures
• Make 'whatever-is-in-the-freezer-or-on-the-shelf' soup
• Play board games or cards
• Roll up in a comforter and be lazy
• Make a tent in the dining room and play in it with the kids
• Have a family 'Star Wars' movie-a-thon
• Using stuff in the refrigerator and cupboards - have a contest to see who can make the best hor dourves

Now that your juices are flowing - have a fun day!

WORK IN HEAVEN

In her book, Jesus Life Coach, Laurie Beth Jones states (p.47):  "I believe that we are here on earth to learn how to grow our talents and abilities, which we will put to use in heaven."

Interesting concept.  She believes that life on earth is preparation for life in heaven.  Hmmmm.

Is C. S. Lewis still writing fantasy stories in heaven?  Randy Alcorn believes he is.  If Alcorn's right, I can't wait to get there to read Lewis' latest books.

Is the Apostle Paul still teaching and church planting?  If so, among who?  Does God have other realms where He will use us?

Are architects designing without the limitations of this world?

Are builders following those blueprints and bringing concepts to reality?

Are artists creating with a whole new array of colors?

Are musicians of all ages working on new symphonies?

Are the skills, abilities, knowledge, experience and talents I'm developing
during this life going to be the genesis of the work I will do when I'm in heaven? 

I know this raises more questions than answers, but you have to admit, they're interesting questions! 

Our work is more meaningful than we realize.  In his book, Rethinking Retirement:  Finishing Life for the Glory of Christ, John Piper writes: 

Most men don't die of old age, they die of retirement.  I read somewhere that half the men retiring in the state of New York die within two years. 

Our work helps us to make a life, not make a living!  And it is likely to be eternally meaningful!  It is central to who we are, whether it is home-making or car-making;  childcare or healthcare;  agriculture or acupuncture;  ditch-digging or pole-climbing. 

Fine-tune yourself today.  You're preparing for eternity!

WHY DIDN'T KING SAUL REPENT?

When I read through I Samuel, I am amazed at the stubbornness of King Saul!

Early in his career, he jumps the gun by offering a sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel to do so! 

When Samuel arrives, he is disgusted.  He announces that God has removed His blessing from Saul and placed it on a new candidate for king (David).

However, years will pass before David actually becomes king.  And during those years, Saul will persistently pursue David in an attempt to kill him!

Twice, God places King Saul in David's hands.  But David refuses to kill the Lord's anointed! 

David prospers.  Saul is miserable.

At a low point, the Philistines come against Israel.  Every attempt Saul makes to get guidance from God fails!  (Hint, hint! Saul, you're not living close to God!)

In desperation, Saul visits a witch (which witch?  the witch at Endor.)  She's afraid to help because Saul has banned her work in Israel (so much for Saul's integrity!)

She calls up Samuel and is shocked when he actually appears!  Samuel reports that Israel will be defeated and that Saul and his sons will be killed.  It's interesting that the Bible tells us that Saul had no appetite after this visit!  (Duh...)

Everything Samuel predicted - comes true the next day!

My Question
Why didn't King Saul repent? 

Why didn't he turn to God and say,

"God, I'm so sorry!  I've been a bad king.  I have not stayed close to you.  I've built memorials to myself instead of building houses of worship for You!  I've failed to trust You when things got hard.  I've gotten ahead of You over and over again.  I've been inconsistent.  Please forgive me for being so proud and independent!  Help me to do better, even if it means stepping down and supporting David as Your new king!"

Pride seems to be the answer...and stubbornness!

Application
What prayer do I need to pray - but am stubbornly resisting?

How might everything change if I would just humble down and submit to God?

Whose lives would be impacted by my repentance and submission?

Am I guilty of pride and stubbornness?

What am I waiting for?

WHAT CAN A KID DO?

I just read yesterday about Thomas Edison.  He gave us more than a thousand inventions which are integral and essential to modern life.  Yet he was deaf from age twelve, and such a poor student he was unacceptable to the school, and had to educate himself.

Hmmmmm.

Stephen and Alex Kendrick, in their book The Resolution For Men write:

Alex and Brett Harris, authors (at age nineteen) of Do Hard Things, tell how history abounds with examples of young men who rose to the occasion after being given great responsibilities.  At twelve, David Farragut, the U.S. Navy's first admiral, took command of his first ship by sailing a captured vessel back to America.  George Washington began mastering geometry, trigonometry, and surveying at the same age as a modern fifth or sixth grader.  At sixteen he became a county surveyor.  At twenty-one he owned 2,300 acres of land.  (p.62)

Dr. Wes Stafford, President and CEO of Compassion International, is one of the world's greatest advocates for children.  He tells of the responsibility he and the other children had in their African village.  They contributed to the food supply by "harvesting a delicacy, the huge...fruit doves...as big as a chicken and just as tasty."  They also protected the fields from marauding gorillas and monkeys by using their sling-shots to pelt them with rocks!

He writes (in Too Small To Ignore):

Kids want more than entertainment;  they want the chance to make a difference...We simply must learn to engage our children and walk with them day by day to foster their dreams and make them come true...Children are more than we think they are;  they can do more than we think they can do.  All they need is a vote of confidence from grown-ups, whom they will ultimately replace anyway.  Their dreams will become the realities of tomorrow.  (pp.43,50-51)

The Kendricks write:  "When a young man is passive and irresponsible, he greatly limits his freedoms, opportunities, and successes.  Whereas responsibility builds up a man and everything around him, the lack of it only weakens and destroys.  Irresponsible men are dangerous to whatever they touch."  (p.62)

Unfortunately, in American culture we have created a relatively new view called adolescence.  This view establishes a moratorium on responsibility and prolongs childhood indefinitely - sometimes through the twenties and into the thirties!

It's time to wake up! 

PRAYING WITH DEB

We just returned from a weekend trip to Connecticut to see our daughther and her family!  It was wonderful.  The 10-hour trip home is always harder and longer than the trip to their house!

We arrived home at 6:30 PM, unpacked, settled in, and watched some television together.  This morning, I slept in, so we woke up together and laid in bed talking for awhile.

I took the opportunity to pray with Debbie.  Although this is not our usual pattern, it happens this way occasionally. 

We thanked God for the safe trip.  We thanked Him for each of our family members.  We thanked God for Deb's sister, Janie, (and her husband, Peter) and how good God has been to their family [we had breakfast with them yesterday on our way home].  We prayed for their kids!

We prayed for Debbie's friend, Cindy.  Also for Cindy's husband, Tom, who is fighting a brain tumor.  We prayed for their kids in this hard time.

We prayed for Deb's Dad and Mom - that they might enjoy extended health.  We also expressed our gratitude for the legacy of faith that they have initiated through the lives of their nine children!

We prayed for close friends who are on vacation - that God would protect them, rest them, and help them to enjoy their time away!

We thanked God for our health and our extended family, our friends, and the church families that have loved and cared for us through the years! 

We prayed for people with chronic pain and for the depressed.  We prayed for damaged relationships in marriages and families. 

We prayed for the VISA administrators who are handing our applications to go to China!  We thanked God for the opportunity that is arising before us to live on the other side of the world.  We thanked Him for the friends that we are going to make there and asked Him to enable us to be effective for Him there.  We expressed our desire to grow His Kingdom by our presence.

With each expression of prayer, I heard Debbie's quiet words of agreement!  It was a wonderful way to start the day!

I love my God!  I love my wife!

FREEZE THAT MEMORY!

There were so many times when Travis, Troy, and Tracie were little that I would try to freeze a memory!  I had an awareness that it was a special moment that I would want to rerflect on at some time in the future.  I knew that time can't be captured in a bottle! 

But the aging process and night after night of deleting memories takes its toll.  The memories fade.  What was it like to have them run into my arms?  What was it like to have them wrap their arms around my neck?  I vaguely remember the proud feeling I had as I walked in downtown East Liverpool with Troy holding one hand and Tracie holding the other.

But I wish I had better recall over these memories.

Then, yesterday, I was walking in Occam Park with Rylie on one hand and Coltin on the other - and I remembered!  I remembered exactly how those times felt when the kids kissed me good-bye last night!  I loved it when they wrapped their arms around my neck! 

Their affection unlocked those frozen memories - and it was wonderful! 

God's grace is AMAZING!  He gives us grandchildren to help us remember the precious moments of rasing our own children!  How cool is that?

A SUNDAY MORNING DISASTER

We lived in the parsonage at 815 Hill Boulevard, East Liverpool.  I would get up early and go to the church.  Then I'd come home to help with the kids and get everyone to church on time. 

It was a fall rainy morning.  We came out and got the kids into their car-seats.  I set my Bible on the roof - with my sermon in it - while I buckled Troy-Boy in.

After a second trip to the car with paraphanalia, we got in and started for the East End. 

Less than a block down Hill Boulevard I saw sheets of paper flying in the air behind the car.  In panic I stopped and ran back to gather them up.  They were wet!  I had used a felt-tipped pen to write my message.  The sheets were a blur of blue lines running down my pages.

I think we ended up having a testimony time that morning...

Is the lesson I learned to not set your Bible on the roof while you buckle the kids in, or don't use a felt-tipped pen to write your message?  Either way, it hasn't happened again (although I did misplace it one Sunday morning). 

BOXES

Debbie works at the Springfield Local Elementary School.  The 'cafeteria' ladies have been supplying us with boxes to assist with our move. 

Nice boxes.  Many of them are cereal boxes.

Now when you're moving, boxes are vital.

Banana boxes are exceptional for packing garage items like tools, paint cans, garden supplies and other heavy objects!

Egg boxes are also very useful.  They're fairly sturdy and reasonably large and can hold shoes, boots, Christmas decorations, coats and hats!

You need sturdy boxes for dishes - and lots of newspaper!

Large shoe boxes are great for the contents of junk drawers!  Of course, garbage bags also work exceptionally well for these contents (hint, hint).

The large, flimsy boxes aren't much help, except for packing afgans, comforters, and other soft, light items.

It's nice to gather a wide array of sizes to facilitate the many odd-shaped things you will come across as you root through the bottoms of your closets.

For many of our moves I found that State Store boxes were the best.  They sliced three sides of the lids which made them perfect for reclosing.  Many had corrugated dividers that could be used for glasses and other fragile items.  They were very sturdy.

However, it made many of my parishoners nervous to see us carrying in boxes labeled Jack Daniels and Jim Beam!

BULLDOZERS, HITCHES, PEWS, AND TIE-DOWNS!

In the course of my travels yesterday, I had interventions with some friends.

My first stop was at Fred Swartz's home.  I found him in the backyard working on a small bulldozer.  He had the whole thing in pieces and was tightening some bolts to prevent the transmission from leaking.  He'd used a cherry-picker to remove a 2,000 pound counter-balance.  He was relieved that he didn't have to remove the track.  The whole project was going to take over three weeks to accomplish. 

I went away impressed at his fearless attitude toward tackling a huge job!

Later, I was working on changing the ball on my Explorer hitch in front of my garage.  The thing has been rusting for years and was near impossible to loosen. Some of the tools I wanted were already packed up!  I was nearing the point of frustration when Dennis Mansfield (and his son, Denny) stopped by.  Pretty soon, they were under the back end of the vehicle with me pulling and grunting. 

After awhile, Dennis went home and got a grinder.  In minutes, he had the old ball cut off and replaced with the new 2-inch ball.  As he drove away, I was thankful for his friendship!  He put whatever he was doing aside and helped me solve my problem!

Then Debbie and I stopped to see Harold and Nellie Ewing.  We've had a short pew from Debbie's home church for years that needs to be cut down and put back together.  To have it done properly will take more skill than I have in working with wood.  After looking at it, Harold quickly agreed to take on the job.  Meanwhile he showed me some of the projects that he's working on in his shop. 

I went away impressed at his skill and patience in working in Jesus' trade as a finishing carpenter!  He can do things I'll never even dream of being able to do!

At almost dusk, I was struggling with some uncooperative tie-downs as I tried to secure the load on my little flatbed trailer.  Patience was running thin.  My friend, Curt Massey stopped on his way home from worship team practice and dove into the problem.  In short order he had my load tight and was on his way!

As I look back over the day, I am impressed with the skills, abilities, and generosity of my friends.  My life is much richer because of their friendship!  And I've just mentioned the four that I interesected with yesterday;  there are many more who impact me on a regular basis. 

Lord,
Thank You for my male friends!  Thank You for the unique way You've made them;  for the skills and abilities You've cultivated in them.  Thank You for their generosity.  Thank You for their wisdom and experience.  Thank You that they love their wives and care about their families.  Thank You that they're making a difference in the world - day by day!  Bless each of them today and meet whatever needs they might have!  And help me to be like them! 
Oh Yeah!

ANOTHER SIGN OF SPRING

I take a brisk walk for forty-five minutes every day in Poland Forest (Poland, Ohio).  Yes, Poland has a forest;  it's located between Route 170 and Route 680.  It's a wooded area with several miles of trails - excellent for walking and jogging.  About ninety percent of the people I meet there are walking their dogs.  It's an amazing escape from the world of traffic and hustle!

Every spring, walkers are treated to an azure blue feast for the eyes as the fields of bluebells blossom.  This treat lasts three to four weeks and is in full array at present.  The park officials even take down the barriers to allow vehicles to slowly drive through the area to enjoy God's showcase!

If you live anywhere near Poland, find the forest and give your eyes a treat!  [Turn west off South Main Street (Rte.170) onto College Street.  Follow it to a parking area at the end.  Enter the park and bear to the left.  Follow the trail down and across the creek.  The trail makes a loop through the fields of bluebells]

WE'RE DOING OUR KIDS A HUGE FAVOR!

We have accumulated so much stuff over our nearly thirty-nine years of marriage!  I recently came across a box that I brought to our marriage in the beginning, have moved it through every transition without ever looking inside!  I sorted it last week.  It held all twelve report cards from my school days along with all of my junior high and high school notebooks.  I was impressed with the quality of education I received from the New Brighton school system! 

We are trying to sort a little every day to make the job easier.  I have personally filled the dumpster at least twice!  The hardest things to part with are things that belonged to my parents!  Next would be things from my own childhood.  Then, of course, things that have sentimental value! 

I also struggle with things that have practical value.  What about those old 'boom boxes';  the tape deck doesn't work, but it can still be used as a radio?  Or that box of plumbing parts - what if I need one of those next week?  And how about those souvenier books from Washington, D.C. - wouldn't those be helpful to our grandkids if they ever had a school project to do? 

Are you getting the picture? 

It has helped us to know that we are doing our kids a HUGE favor!  When we leave all this stuff behind and move on to Heaven, our kids won't have the time to go through this junk!  They'll have a big fire in the backyard and burn it all!  Meanwhile, they'll stand around and laugh, saying, "Why did Dad and Mom keep all this junk?" 

Steve Green's "Find Us Faithful" captures my sentiments precisely:

We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives

CHORUS:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

In case you'd like to hear it: 

SIGN OF SPRING

There's this amazing thing that happens in our church every spring! 

The architect did a study of the sun and had the church built in such a way that light features create an amazing display on the front wall of the sanctuary. 

It begins in early April and lasts into June. 

It has two highlights:

First, there is a triangular window that can only be seen from the platform.  This window casts a triangle of colored light on the front wall that gradually descends to shine on our communion table - lighting up the cross found there.

Second, a long horizontal window at the very top of the sanctuary wall casts a brilliant beam of light on that same cross.  This happens shortly after the triangular show has ended! 

It reveals how an architect's planning and creativity can add value to the worship experience.  I look forward to this display every year.  This morning it blessed me as I walked and prayed.  It will be one of the things I will miss when I leave Free Methodist Community Church!

THE DREAM THAT WRECKED EASTER

When our children were young, we enjoyed hiding their 'Easter Baskets'.  They would hop out of bed on Easter morning and immediately begin to look for them. 

As they grew older, I became more creative in finding hard-to-find places for the baskets.  One year, Troy didn't find his until we got home from church!  There it was hanging from an eye-hook on the enclosed front porch!

But I best remember the year that I hid Travis' basket in the fireplace.  We rarely used the fireplace and kept it closed off with a piece of plexiglass and a card table.  Some large, heavy items were propped against it to keep it from being a source of heat-loss for the house. 

That morning, Travis came downstairs and went straight to the fireplace and immediately found his basket!  He was totally bummed that he had found it so easily.  When we questioned him about it, he told us that he had dreamed that his basket was hidden in the fireplace. 

Call it a case of sweet dreams!

THE BODY'S BEGINNING TO MOVE!

The tomb is dark.  It's very early Sunday morning!  No one is out-and-about yet.

Roman guards are relaxed.  They haven't spoken for hours.  They're disgusted that they drew this worthless duty.

The moon is near full and casts shadows.

Suddenly, the body begins to move.  Jesus comes to life, sits up, folds the cloth that had been around His head, and leaves the tomb - WITHOUT HAVING THE STONE ROLLED AWAY!

The guards couldn't see Him.  Where He went, we do not know.

A short time later, the women arrive at the tomb.  As they arrive, in the earliest moments of sunrise, an earthquake shakes the ground!  An angel appears and rolls the stone away from the tomb!  The angel's appearance is so brilliant and fearsome that the Roman guards pass out!

This same fearsome, heavenly warrior turned to the women and spoke:  "You have nothing to fear!  I know that you've come looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  HE IS NOT HERE!  HE HAS COME BACK TO LIFE, just as He said He would!  Come into the tomb and look - see where His body was laying!"

"Now, go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead and that He is going to meet them in Galilee!"

And just like that, the angel was gone!  The guards are still unconscious.  The birds are singing their morning song.  The warming sun is shining its earliest rays in the Jerusalem sky.  And the women are overwhelmed with joy!  They run to where the disciples are staying and burst in with the good news:

HE'S ALIVE!!!

SADDER DAY

The Cross is empty.

It's the Sabbath Day.

People are shocked at the damage done by the earthquake.

The priests are aghast that the veil of the temple is torn and the Holy of Holies is exposed!

The disciples are hiding in fear.

The women are laying a plan for going to the tomb first thing in the morning.

There is weeping.

There is heart-rending sorrow.

There is a sense of lostness.

The tomb has been sealed by Pilate.

Roman soldiers guard the tomb of Jesus.

The fragrance of myrrh and aloes permeates the air.

It is the saddest Sabbath ever!

In another realm a preacher proclaims freedom to long-held captives!

This same preacher leads the captives to freedom!

Satan and his demons are helpless.

And all creation waits...

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS

What does that mean?

Does it mean the burdens that we face in life?

• an obstinate spouse
• a troublesome child
• an oppostional boss
• a physical limitation
• a personality defect
• a challenging circumstance

"Well, I guess that's just my cross.  I'll have to take it up and follow Christ!  Poor me!"

Is that what Jesus meant when He said (Luke 9:23 NASB):  "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me."

Is this really complicated?  What does the cross symbolize?

DEATH!  The Cross reminds us of the death of Christ! 

So, if we're to take up our cross daily - we're to take up the symbol of death daily.

This seems to have a double meaning:

1. It could mean to remember daily the price that Christ paid for my redemption.  However, we are not told to take up Christ's cross daily - but our cross daily.
2. So, it probably means that we are to go through each and every day with a willingness to lay down our very lives for Christ!

John 15:13 (NASB)  [Jesus speaking] "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."  The very next words are:  You are My friends...

And He did it!  He laid down His life for us! 

John 10:18 (NASB)  [Jesus speaking]  "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative."

Galatians 2:20 (NASB)  [Paul speaking]  "I have been crucified with Christ;  and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." 

APPLICATION
Christ is more important than me!  I live, but not to accomplish my purposes or my goals.  I live to accomplish His purposes!  What He wants trumps what I want! 

He has given me new life!  I owe Him everything!  I would lay down my life in a heartbeat for Him and for His purposes! 

Philippians 1:21 (NASB)  [Paul speaking]  "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Could you get excited about going to Heaven today?

HAZEL'S THEOLOGY AND THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

My Mom was raised in the Reformed Presbyterian tradition (think CHARIOTS OF FIRE).  As a result, she had some ways of thinking about God that were perfectly clear and reasonable to her.

Here's an example of something that happened more times than I could count when I was growing up:

We would be loading up the car for a trip.  The plan was to leave at a certain time.  But, during the process of packing a phone call would come that would detain us for a little while.  There would be some frustration over the delay.

So, a few minutes later than planned, we would leave on our journey.  Somewhere down the road we would see an accident with several cars involved.  My  Mom would inevitably say:  "If we hadn't been delayed, this is right about where we'd have been!  I believe God was at work in our lives to protect us from harm!"

As poor an illustration as this is, this kind of belief was aired over and over as I grew up.  She believed strongly in the providential care of a sovereign God.  She believed this to the core! 

How's this intersect with the Appalachian Trail?

I have longed to backpack the Appalachian Trail since I was twenty years old.  Because it takes about six months to do this trip, it is difficult to make this happen.  I started over two years ago to plan a 'Sabbatical Leave' for six months.  A year ago, I started a count-down to April 8, 2012.  After preaching my Easter message, I was going to board a plane for Savannah, Georgia.  My son, Troy, was going to take me to the trailhead and then join me for the first week on the AT.

But, plans have changed.  Instead, I have resigned from the church I am serving.  Debbie and I have applied to go to China to teach English for the 2012-2013 school year.  As a result, the AT is on hold!

I wonder...

If Mom was still here, would she be saying:  "Well, Harold, God is protecting you from something!" 

HIGH MOMENTS - DENESTING

Two-and-a-half years in Spencerville, Maryland and making some very special friends there!

Many wonderful Saturdays in Annapolis, Maryland participating in the events surrounding Navy football games.

Travis' graduation from the Naval Academy (June, 2000) and career experiences!

Being on staff at Cornerstone Church in Akron, Ohio and serving with Brenda Young!

Visiting Saddleback Church in southern California for a week and sitting under the teaching of Pastor Rick Warren.

Flying to Seattle, Washington, to witness the decommissioning of the USS Parche!

Moving to New Middletown and leading Free Methodist Community Church (July, 2003). 

Tracibeth coming back to live with us for a year before her wedding.

Jon and Tracie's wedding - January 15, 2005.

Thanksgivings and Christmases when we had all or part of our family together!

The birth of our granddaughter, Rylie Grace Kerstetter - November 16, 2007.

The birth of our grandson, Coltin Eugene Kerstetter - February 20, 2009. 

My 60th birthday party - January 27, 2012.

Troy and Missy's wedding (and a week-long party) - February 25, 2012.

AT PRESENT:  My retirement from the pastoral ministry (June, 2012) and facing the excitement and adventure of our future!

HIGH MOMENTS - MID LIFE

Holding hands with my kids!

Playing and praying with them at bedtime!

Camping in Aunt Bev and Uncle Dick's back yard and swimming in their pool for a week!

Playing "Chicken Crossing The Road" with Aunt Bev!

Going to Uncle Ira and Aunt Joyce's and riding the 4-wheelers.

The year I got the kids 'mummy' sleeping bags for Christmas!

Attending the kid's school programs and sports events.

Nights at Kent State's Memorial Auditorium - eating our supper and watching three basketball games in a row!

Travis being 'Scarecrow' in "The Wizard of Oz".

The year Troy's basketball team won the state championship and went to the national finals!

Tracibeth being a cheerleader at East Liverpool Christian School!

Tri-State Family Camp every July!

Camping at Pymatuning every August - including the Canfield Fair and trips to Conneaut Lake Park!

The year Grandpap Haire bought our family a video camera!

The year Keeto became part of our family!

Trips to the farm and the many Whippo family gatherings!

Playing 'Hide-n-Seek' at 316 Thompson Avenue!

Trampoline fun!

Fall weekend camping trips at Atwood Lake;  and later, renting a cabin for the weekend at Pymatuning!

Deb and I getting away every year to attend the Minister's Institute of the NorthEast - Grandma Whippo coming to stay with the kids!

The night the bat dive-bombed us in Maniac Mansion!

Travis going to the Naval Academy!

Becoming part of the Cornerstone Church family in Akron!

Each of the kid's graduation parties!

HIGH MOMENTS - YOUNG ADULTHOOD

Getting married to Debbie on August 11, 1973, within two months of graduating from college!

Our honeymoon!  :-)

Our first apartment in Wilmore, Kentucky.

Travis being born on February 24, 1976.

A wonderful camping vacation (August, 1983) to the Smokies in Tennessee.  We had purchased a used tent-camper.  Travis was two-and-a-half.  We took Deb's brother, Wally, with us as his high school graduation gift!  We did a lot of white water tubing and did water-slides for the first time!  Great stories!

Becoming a full-time pastor at Jeannette, Pennsylvania in June, 1976.

Being ordained in June, 1978.

Troy being born on August 24, 1980.

Tracie being born on August 13, 1981 - that's right, eleven months later!  :-)

Becoming pastor of the Oakland Free Methodist Church in East Liverpool, Ohio in June, 1982. 

In 1983, we upgraded to a little newer pop-up camper and started an annual, July pilgrimage to Pymatuning Lake, Jamestown, Pennsylvania.  Every summer for the next twenty years found us camping there for a week!

About the same time, we began including the Canfield Fair as a staple in our family activities - often as a part of our camping trip to Pymatuning State Park! 

Graduating from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in June, 1987.

Christmases were always special times - especially as the children became our focus!

Family Camp was always a fun time for our family as we packed up and moved to the Tri-State Campground for ten days every July!

HIGH MOMENTS - COLLEGE YEARS

The freedom of being on my own!

Playing Rook all night long.

Life's best friends:  Lyle Weaver, Al Baumback, John Sutley, George Gates, Gerry Harris, John Maloney, John Vlainic, and a bunch of others.

Reconnecting with Debbie and getting engaged!

Traveling with the Roberts Wesleyan College Chorale and Chamber Singers!

Representing the college in the summer of 1970 with the 'Reflections' (folk)singing group!

Rides on my Honda 90 (after stepping up from my Moped).

When exams were over!

The UPS carpool gang!

Late night trips to Ackerman's.

Late night trips to Nick Tahou's.

Playing 'Rummy' all night in the laundromat.

Dorm life and the indoor sports we invented!

Snow storms!