TURNING 70

I had a wonderful childhood!  Godly parents embedded me in the life of the church from before I was born!  All of my needs were met and I was surrounded by caring aunts, uncles and cousins. 

My mom was the major influence in my life.  She was indefatigable in pointing me to God and living right.  Her influence was immersed in love, although she slapped me twice:  once when I disrespected God by saying, ‘Holy Cow’, and once when I disrespected her!  She modeled the use of her spiritual gifts by being a gracious hostess and entertaining many guests at our table.  Also by providing leadership in the Women’s Missionary Society.  Many missionaries and church leaders stayed in our home while I was growing up!  Her prayer life was exemplary, as her Bible reveals by the pockets she taped into it to hold all of her prayer lists.

My father was a quiet man.  I knew he loved me because my mom continually told me that he did.  He was a dedicated provider for our family giving forty-eight years of service to the Townsend Company.  He exercised leadership in our local church by filling many roles:  Sunday School teacher, trustee, official board secretary, and delegate to the Annual Conference.  He served on the ‘Stationing Committee’ [responsible for appointing pastors to churches] for the Pittsburgh Conference for over twenty-five years.  He was also elected as a Pittsburgh Conference delegate to the Free Methodist World Conference on five occasions.  He was not highly engaged with me during my growing-up years, but later in life we became closer.

When their influence began to diminish, Debbie stepped in to finish the job!  We began dating in high school and continued, off-and-on, for five years before being married on August 11, 1973.  She was worried about the prospect of being a pastor’s wife, but that was unnecessary since she was deeply loved and appreciated everywhere we served.  Our love produced three incredible children:  Travis, Troy and Tracie.  I could talk for hours about each of them!  They’ve brought us great joy – and a measure of heartache.  I still look back and wonder how I was wise enough at the age of twenty-one to choose such an excellent wife!  She is my joy every day!

We lost Travis in 2015.  The pain of that loss has diminished with time, but just in recent weeks Debbie has been in pain missing him.  Just when you think you’ve got it managed, it resurfaces and debilitates you.  He gave us so much to be proud of!  Our times with him were always filled with delight and fun!

Troy and Missy live ten minutes away today.  He is our helper in our mature years.  Just this week he put the finishing touches on his moms' kitchen cabinets – working hand-in-hand with Deb.  Yesterday, he came to my rescue changing a flat tire in Pittsburgh and enduring my forgetfulness (leaving my car keys at home).  He is a source of tremendous pride for us and his quick visits make our day!  He excels in his work at the Boardman Fire Station and is respected by his peers.  He and Missy are well thought of by everyone who knows them, and they’re active in Freedom Church (where I was pastor from 2003 to 2012). 

Tracie and Jon now live in Rockledge, Florida – so much further than Connecticut.  We’ll soon be spending a week with them on our first trip to their new home.  Tracie surprised me for this birthday by arranging a flight home to celebrate with us.  I pick her up this afternoon!  She and Jon gave us two awesome grandchildren:  Rylie (14) and Coltin (12).  We love them so much and take joy in watching them grow and change!  Jon is now Command Chief and oversees the missile-testing of submarines at his base.   Tracie stands beside Jon and engages with younger military wives (and girlfriends) in a mentoring role.  She occasionally works outside the home, but focuses mainly on caring for her family!

I turn seventy today, having lost my brother, Ira, (9/27/21) and my sister, Jeannette (12/1/21).  I admired and respected both of them all through my years.  Ira was always tucking a $20 bill in my pocket when we visited.  He consistently introduced me to his friends as his ‘kid brother’.  His wife, Joyce, is here to celebrate my birthday today!  Jeannette was totally dedicated to raising her two sons, Tom and Bob, and was SO PROUD of them.  We intend to stay as close to them as we can in the future.  Both siblings loved the Lord and served Him through their churches.

My remaining sister, Beverly, lives in Rochester, NY, so we don’t get to see her and Dick very often.  They are hibernating to protect themselves from the COVID-19 realities, so won’t be able to join today’s celebration.  Bev is the only sibling that I actually lived with while growing up, consequently, we share a special bond.  She is so much like our mother – even resembles her.  They gave us many free vacations in their backyard while our family was young.  ;-)  She is intimately connected to God and has, for years, been the first person (besides Debbie) that I turn to for prayer!  She and Dick are a delight and we hope for more years to enjoy them both! 

Debbie’s family has been a major part of our support system all through our lives and continues to be.  Debbie’s ‘Whippo thread’ on her phone, is active every day .  We worship weekly with two of her sisters and two brothers.  They are the long-term friends that have walked with us through the joyful and painful times.  We take pride in their children and in their many accomplishments.

•     Danny
•      Laurie and Charlie
•      Cathy and Jeff
•      Janie and Peter
•      Wally and Lyn
•      Ginny and Dave
•      Tom and Janet
•      Barbie and Jim

Our life’s journey wouldn’t have been near as pleasant without them in our lives! 

I’m not going to name any friends because I would surely omit someone special!  So many have joined us in our life’s journey!  Many were parishoners that became friends!  Our trip through life thus far has been sprinkled with the blessings bestowed by so many precious people!  Some helped me maintain my vehicles!  Some camped with us and shared vacations.  Others have shared meals and gifts with us.  Many prayed with us during challenging times.  Friendship is a gift that we should probably give more freely!  We have been abundantly blessed through the years by so many wonderful people – most of whom shared our love for Jesus! 

As I complete my 70^th trip around the sun, I am a deeply grateful man!  I have been BLESSED!  And I am GRATEFUL to God!  I want to live to praise Him and to point others to Him!

THE STUDY OF GOD

'Theology' [theos = god,  logos = word] means words about God - or the study of God. 

I'm asking your forgiveness ahead of time.  I'm currently reading Romans in The Message.  Romans is the theology book of the New Testament.  It's a slow read.  Paul takes us to the deep end of the pool.  He correlates ancient history with the current events of the early part of the first century.  You have to read slowly - even repeatedly - and let it soak in.  But, oh, is it ever worth it!

My current reading is in chapter eight, which is a glorious chapter.  It starts with the announcement that we are now free from condemnation, and ends by stating that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

I'll soon finish seven decades of walking on this planet.  I was raised in a godly home.  I made many young commitments to God and then cemented my relationship by accepting His 'call' to ministry at the age of seventeen.  I studied religion and philosophy for my undergraduate degree.  I completed a master of divinity degree that immersed me in theology, biblical studies, Hebrew and Greek, psychology, Chrisitan education, ethics, church history and more philosophy.  I've led churches for over four decades, preached thousands of sermons and taught classes on many subjects.  

And yet, I still sometimes struggle with my faith.  I was raised during a season when the church was emerging from an emphasis on legalism.  The features that influenced me claimed that If you dressed right, avoided certain behaviors, kept your language holy, attended church regularly and strove in all areas of your life to be holy [as God is holy], then you might make it to heaven.

It was a severely misguided time and did tons of damage to people's spiritual development and maturity.  

But, the pendulum swung and we gradually moved beyond legalism.  I cannot document all the phases that we moved through, but they were diverse and included:

• the charismatic confusion
• the praise and worship movement
• the church growth explosion
• the church health strategies
• the pastor as CEO season
• the mega-church predicament

Since I've been retired for almost six years, someone more in touch will have to inform us as to what the current trends and focuses are.  I do think I observe a leaning toward being more liturgical.  I experimented in these areas while I was attending Pittsburgh Theological Seminary during the 80's.  The Oakland [East Liverpool] people tolerated my experimentation in this and other areas.

But, I've already wandered from my purpose.  

In Romans I've been reading about the preoccupation with our sinfulness.  The sin principle is powerful and pervades all of scripture as well as our lives.  But Christ's coming, redemption and resurrection made a massive difference.  Through His Spirit, He lives in us and empowers us.  

Peterson puts it this way in The Message:   [Romans 8:15]

This resurrection life you received from God is...

adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike 'What's next Papa?'

Now to my purpose for moving from my study carrol to my laptop.  I still wrestle with sin.  One thing I have liked about worshipping in an evangelical presbyterian church for the last nearly three years, is the repetitious acknowledgement of systemic sin.  Every Lord's Day our pastor leads us in a prayer that encourages us to take a few seconds to confess our sins from the previous week.  The monotony and predictability of this practice often frustrates me.  However, I agree with the concept and the need.  My greatest problem is that the few seconds provided are not sufficient for me to review my sinfulness over the past six days!  

However, hearing the words of assurance somehow encourages me.  I've never struggled to leave worship with a renewed determination that I can do better this week.  Yet, sometimes I still feel caught in the sin principle.  I frequnetly feel like a spiritual failure.  

A common problem is that I have friends and associates who seem to do it so much better than me.  They seem holier.  They seem to make better decisions and accomplish more than I do.  Almost everything that flows from their mouths seems wise, admirable, enviable, and holy.  I imagine them having these perfect prayer experiences and a dynamic, day-to-day relationship with God.  I wonder if they struggle - maybe just a little bit, once in a while?  

I live with a fear that I've missed out on understanding something vital.  I feel a little like Mother Teresa [pardon the comparison] who was revered almost universally.  Then, posthumously, her writings were published and we discovered that this dynamic woman was plagued by doubt and uncertainty regarding her standing with God.  To some extent [please forgive me] she deceived us.  How much more help she could have been if she had shared this troubled journey with us.  

I've studied and debated the theology.   I know that we are crucified with Christ and that it is no longer I that live - but Christ lives in me.  I know that there is now, therefore, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  I know that we were buried with Christ in baptism and raised with Christ when we rose from the water.  I know that His Spirit lives in me.  I am committed to His Word as the main resource for my life and I consume it daily.  

But...you saw that coming, didn't you?

But, I have not yet attained consistently to the extent that Peterson paraphrases:

This resurrection life you received from God is...

adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike 'What's next Papa?'

I have had seasons where that was the character of my day-to-day life.  I must confess that this was more true when I was leading the church.  I think the responsibility that I bore in that role helped to keep me out front, leaning daily on God, desperately wanting to see the church be fruitful and effective [those two words guided my leadership].  

Now, I sit in the pew every week.  I no longer counsel, preach, teach, and have regular outlets for influence.  My world has shrunk.  I didn't anticipate this.  

I was passionate when I made my life-changing decision for Christ as a young man.  I was aggressive through my college years.  I led the church with vision and energy from 1975 through 2017.  Living for God is still the main desire of my life.  Gaining heaven is a greater focal point as I approach my 70th birthday.  Leaving a legacy of faith has always been prominent in my thinking and living.  

Episcopal priest, Sam Shoemaker (1898 - 1963) was one of the most influential clergymen of the 20th century.  He assisted in the birth of Alcoholics Anonymous and contributed heavily to the formation of the twelve steps!  He wrote a poem called "I Stand by the Door".  It was a magnificent statement of his evangelistic fervor.  He anticipated that this passion would continue even in heaven since he was so focused on saving lost people.  He envisioned that when he got there, rather than rush into the glory of God and the awesomeness of worship, he would prefer to 'stand by the door' in hopes of catching a few more by the coattails and pulling them into the kingdom of God.  

As a young man, his vision captivated me!  It gave me purpose.

I need that purpose to be reignited.  I need my love for God to be divinely inspired.  I need a daily dose of reassurance.  I want to burn brightly for Him.  I don't want to stumble.  I want pure words, thoughts and actions.  I desperately want to avoid hypocrisy.  I want my life to point to Him.  

A CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITION AT THE HAIRE HOUSE

I realized this morning that I didn't add a blog this Christmas season.  So, on the day after Christmas, I will reflect on a memory that centers around my mom!

Have you ever eaten hash?  Sure you have!  The problem is that almost every family has a recipe for hash that is different!  A search of the internet will produce scores of recipes.  I just came across Mexican hash, corned beef hash, roast beef hash, sweet potato hash, steak and egg hash, and many others.

The hash we ate in the Haire house was very simple and easy to make.  It probably has connections to the Scotch, Welsh and English roots of our Hairetage.  :-)

Mom simply filled a cooking pot with water and brought it to a boil adding bits of raw ground beef, sliced potatoes, onion and some sliced carrots.  Cook this covered until it boils and then simmer it for another hour.  Add salt and pepper to taste and serve with your favorite toast and butter.  It ALWAYS seems to need more salt!  

I know that it sounds strange to drop raw ground beef into boiling water!  Trust me, it will surprise you how good it will taste!

One Christmas Eve, when I was a teenager, I asked my mom when she was going to start her hash.  She gave me a funny look and asked me how I knew she was going to make hash.  I responded, "Mom, you always make hash on Christmas Eve!"  She looked surprised:  "I do?"  "Yes, you do!"   Without realizing it, she had created a tradition simply because it was one of the easiest and fastest meals she could make.  The busyness of Christmas Eve created a circumstance that caused her to always fall back on hash!

Debbie made it several days ago and I enjoyed it for three days.  Tracie thought it sounded good, so she made it too.  Her comment when I asked about it:  "Dad, I could drink all of that broth in one sitting!"  

Thanks, mom.  You've been gone forty years now, but I still think of you and still miss you!  Your fingerprints are all over my life and I'm SO GRATEFUL!  

MY BIG SISTER

I have previously mentioned Jeannette in several family blog articles, however, I never focused specifically on her.  I suppose part of my reticense was because there is SO MUCH TO SAY and so many stories that could be told.  Now that she has preceded me to Heaven, it's time to reflect on the way she lived her life. 

I was born January 27, 1952.  Less than a month later, Jeannette turned fifteen!  I have no memory of her living at home.  I also have no memories of her that do not include her (late) husband, Bob (known to most as Lib).  Her oldest son, Tom, is just four-and-a-half years younger than me.  He has a younger brother, Bob, as well.  

Jeannette and Lib always lived in Beaver Falls or Chippewa.  Since the other Haire children moved away, she played a vital role in our Mom and Dad's lives.  When I was growing up, she would flit in and out of their home on William Penn Way in New Brighton at least a couple of times a week.  Her visits were on-the-run, but were thoroughly enjoyed - mostly by our Mom.  We also made fairly frequent trips to their various homes.  

Jeannette loved our parents so much and cared for them attentively even in the midst of her very busy life.  She was the only one of the four children who took after the Walton side of our family.  This lineage afforded her two outstanding characteristics:  a nervous, hyperactive personality type and a phenomenal sense of humor!  

The stories abound!  As we gather to celebrate her life, I'm certain many of them will be retold followed by animated laughter!  Allow me to give a few examples:

In August of 1961, my brother, Ira, married Joyce Twitchell in Willow Grove, PA.  That's near Philadelphia.  Jeannette and Lib started out on this journey along with our cousin, Olive (who was - at the time - married to Lib's brother, Johnny).  [Olive was a co-conspirator with Jeannette in many of their escapades.]  Not even halfway into the trip, they had car troubles along the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  

When Lib was unable to quickly fix the car, Jeannette declared that she wasn't going to miss her brother's wedding.  She and Olive grabbed their suitcases and flagged down a Greyhound bus.  They convinced him to allow them to ride along to Philadelphia.  Upon arriving, they called Joyce to arrange a ride.  Joyce sent her uncle to the downtown Philadelphia bus station.  They all arrived barely in time for the wedding.  Unfortunately, the bus had passed quite close to Willow Grove, which could have saved a lot of time.  However, this was a time previous to cell phones.

Meanwhile, Lib was left alongside the Turnpike with two very young boys and a broken down car! 

Now picture two crazy, hyper, determined women flagging down a bus and then climbing on board carrying their suitcases.  It became part of the legend that was MY SISTER

An even earlier story illustrates the kind of faux paus that she could stumble into.  

One of my father's sisters lived in southern Ohio along with the branches of her own family.  At least once a year, my Dad would load us up for a visit "down-the-river" to see Aunt Goldie and Uncle Eber - who lived in a hollow and had a dairy farm.   

It was quite an experience for us city slickers!  Things were done a lot different down there! 

On one occasion, Aunt Goldie gave Jeannette some letters and asked her to take them down the lane to the mailbox.  As Jeannette walked away, Aunt Goldie reminded her, "Now don't forget to put the flag up!"  

Some moments later, they observed Jeannette walking down the lane with the letters and struggling to carry the American flag with her! 

One more that I'll have to clean up a bit.

One evening after the boys were grown and gone, Jeannette and Lib went to a steakhouse in Chippewa that featured a salad bar.   After eating, they went to the laundromat to do several loads of clothes.

Part way into the washing cycle, they both realized that had had an urgent need to use the restroom.  They pulled the soaking wet clothes from the washers, threw them into the car and took off for home.

Meanwhile, their son, Bobby, saw them and followed them blinking his lights to get them to stop.  When they did, he jogged up to Lib's window to talk to them.  Lib simply said, "We have to go home to..."  Then, he squealed tires as he pulled out - leaving Bobby standing alongside the road! 

But the best part of the story occurred when they got home.  Lib was a big guy at this time and wasn't capable of moving very quickly.  Jeannette took advantage of this and hopped out, running ahead of him to their only bathroom!  

I can only tell you that these are just a sample of the MANY stories that characterized my sister!  

She was always in a hurry;  always near frantic.  

Oh, I can't resist the temptation;  one more story!

Lib didn't always attend church with Jeannette.  When she could, she brought the boys with her.  Sometimes she came alone.  One Sunday, they had all come, but Jeannette was on automatic pilot and got in the car and drove home without Lib and the boys.  

When she got home and found no one there, she remembered that they had gone to church with her!  Franticly, she flew back toward the church, only to find Lib walking with a boy on each hand across the Beaver Falls - New Brighton bridge.

I think we'll skip the video of that encounter for now...

She made life fun!  She peppered life with shenanigans.  She lived life in the fast lane!  But no one can bring allegations that she ignored her family!  She was dedicated to them!  And they knew it!  Her boys brag about how she attended not only all of their sports games, but most of their practices, as well. It is only fair to say that during these years, her life was totally focused on her boys!   

She adored our parents and stayed in close contact with them always.  After our Mom died (1981), our Dad eventually needed help because of some physical challenges he was facing.  Jeannette oversaw his care and visited him regularly.  Eventually, she moved him into their house so that she could care for him even better!  He and Lib established a close relationship during that time.  

She stayed active all her life in the New Brighton Free Methodist Church.  Sadly, after her health failed, pastors failed to visit her and care for her.  However, several lay members did visit her periodically.  She loved the Lord and used her influence to point her boys in the right direction!   She believed in prayer and trusted the Lord for all her family's needs.  

She was also highly regarded in her workplace!  She started out as an employee in food service at the Blackhawk School system.  Gradually, she learned and grew in skill and knowledge to become the overseer of the entire system.  It was a huge responsibility that garnered her a ton of respect and admiration.  

There are two things I learned about my sister that made me appreciate her even more:

First, she and my brother, Ira, knew our Grandma Walton.  Our Mom's Mom had given each of her three daughters a home in Beaver Falls.  She gave our folks her own home on Mt. Washington upon their marriage in August of 1934.  However, with our Mom, Grandma Walton added a stipulation:  that she be allowed to live with them until her death.  

Ira remembered that she had a desk in the parlor that was not to be touched.  It was where she transacted her business.  Jeannette and Olive remember being sent around to various properties to collect rent.  Some of these properties were in the area of Brady's Run Park.  She was apparently a shrewd businesswoman.  She and our father must have gotten along pretty well;  we never heard him make a negative remark about her.  

The little I know about the Waltons (for instance, Grandpap Walton had the first automobile in Beaver Falls), came from Jeannette and Ira!

Second, she - like me - was spoiled!  :-)  Being the first child and having our parents to herself for three years before Ira was born, she enjoyed the complete focus of our parents!  When I visited Jeannette about ten years ago, she showed me photo albums filled with pictures of herself!  I have about three pictures of myself as a baby or young child!  [I know - this is common in all families!]

In addition, she talked about our Dad spoiling her with pretty dresses and clothes!  Beverly also tells of special attention from our Dad.  It's possible that he may have favored his daughters over his sons.  I'll have to talk to him about that someday...  ;-)   Of course, Beverly left when I was eleven, so I had six years where I had Mom and Dad all to myself.  My siblings accused me more than a few times of being spoiled!  Shear jealousy!  

I loved my sister!  The only time she was ever mean to me was during a ten minute tirade when she informed me that all the privileges that I enjoyed with our parents had been paid for by her endurance in breaking the ground for me Bev and Ira!  I still have the birthday gift that she gave me when I turned ten!  It was a vinyl album by a new group.  It's title was:  INTRODUCING THE BEATLES!  

Thanks, Jeannette!  Thanks for all you did for so many of us!  Thanks for loving Jesus!  Thanks for giving the world two great sons, two grandsons, one granddaughter, and seven great granddaughters (so far)!  Thanks for the legacy of laughter!  Enjoy your rewards...

And say 'Hi' to Mom and Dad, Ira and Travis for me!   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VISITING A MENNONITE CHURCH

Last Sunday, while visiting my sister-in-law, we attended church with her in central Pennsylvania.  She lives in a small town in a long, wide, agricultural valley that is heavily populated by Amish and Mennonites.  Locust Grove Mennonite Church sits at the southern end of the village of Belleville.

It is a large, relatively new structure that houses a gymnasium, sanctuary, large entry-foyer and exceptional space for classes and group meetings.  They have ample parking as well that is accessible to the two primary entrances

We attended the 9:00 AM service and I was greeted nicely by a man as I passed through the door.  Finding the sanctuary was slightly challenging for a newcomer (Debbie and Joyce had entered before me).  It was a large area with rows of comfortable seats; it would probably seat three hundred if full.  

A young woman was playing the piano and a young girl was singing with her.  I've often wondered why more congregations don't use pre-worship time to highlight the gifts and talents of its people - young and older.  I was warmed by the simplicity of this pre-call to worship.

Eventually, the worship team entered from a front room and took their places on the platform.  A worship folder had been provided, but it did not include an order for worship - which sort of delighted me.  The team included an older man (leader), a middle-aged man, and three young people.  Their sound was not at all professional;  I would call it functional and sincere.  I appreciated their ministry.

The sound system was not helpful to me - as a hearing impaired person - so I missed a lot that was said by the leaders.  One leader needed training in how to use a microphone, as he often wandered away from it.  There was no mention of hearing devices being available.

One thing that I enjoyed was the fact that we sang a lot!  Instead of the traditional three songs, prayer, announcements and message, this service was less predictable.  The music included one hymn and several older worship songs that I thoroughly enjoyed.  I frequently wonder why we so quickly discard worship songs that have endeared themselves to us in such meaningful ways?  In addition, the PowerPoint slides were actually changed when we needed the words instead of the almost universal perfectionism of switching so precisely that we can never sing the first words of the slide.  :-)

It became apparent that things were being done a bit differently since the church was observing a season of emphasizing world missions.  The pastor did not preach this morning;  instead a denominational leader gave the message.

Fortunately, he was a very capable speaker who knows how to project his voice, so I was easily able to hear him.  Public speaking training seems to have gone by the wayside over the years.  So many preachers seem to forget that they're speaking to a large room of people with diverse hearing ability!  

Jerry Sauder's scripture was from Proverbs, but he quickly departed from it.  He began with some very traditional pictures and a review of the biblical history of God's desire to have all nations love and serve Him!  I felt myself waning in interest during these opening moments.  However, as he progressed, I began to see that he was carefully weaving a very long story past our consciousness.  God started with a plan and He never abandoned it!  

I went from minimally interested to being fascinated with this articulate presentation of biblical history and the passion of our God for all people to come to know Him.  

Jerry ended by returning to his original passage where he made impacting observations and challenges:

• Do we care deeply about our Father's desire to have all nations (people groups) reconciled to Himself?
• Does our lifestyle reflect seriousness (wisdom) or frivolity (foolishness) in regards to this task?
• Do we engage in the work with diligence or laziness?
• How does the urgency of the harvest affect our priorities?  

A week later, I am still evaluating my priorities and considering how I can be more effective in this passionate mission of our loving and enfolding God!

I spoke with Jerry after the service and complimented him on the most powerful missions message I had ever heard.  He took my email and promptly forwarded me all his slides for my personal use!  

There was a sad point at the end, however.  The leadership had not thought through an appropriate ending for the service, so we were simply dismissed.  A powerful song and opportunity for response would have been most appropriate!  I hope this missed opportunity was corrected in later services.  

A STORY OF A FOOL

What kind of mother would name her son ‘Fool’?  I don’t think I’d want to meet her.  Seems like a good chance that she was a fool herself. 

We find this man Nabal (means ‘fool’) in I Samuel 25.  Surprisingly, he was quite successful, owning at least 1,000 goats and 3,000 sheep.  His enterprise required the help of a large number of farm hands.  His wife was loyal to him and quite a beauty.

David had been hiding out in Nabal’s territory trying to elude the pursuit of King Saul.  During this time, he and his 600 men offered protection to the area farmers – including Nabal.  When shearing time arrived, David sent men to ask for a gift from Nabal in exchange for the protection he had received.  Nabal insulted David’s men and sent them away empty-handed.

David was furious and vowed to kill Nabal and all his men.

Nabal’s wife is told about the exchange and leaps into action preparing a huge feast and delivering it to David as he approaches the farm.  He is overwhelmed with her gift, her words and her wisdom!  She implores him to stay his hand against Nabal and keep his reputation unstained from unnecessary violence.  David accepts her gift and is truly grateful that she stepped in and stopped him from his impulsive actions.

That evening, Nabal feasts and drinks well into the night;  so Abigail (his wife) waits till morning to tell him what she had done.  This is another testimony to her truthfulness and willingness to accept responsibility for her actions. 

Although the scripture is not perfectly clear, it seems that Nabal had a stroke upon hearing what she had done.  He lived in this state for ten days and then died. 

When David heard that Nabal had died, he sent messengers asking Abigail to become his wife.  She agreed.

In verse 17, we read a description of Nabal:  “He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.” 

Chances are, you’ve run into someone like this.  Descriptive terms would be:  hostile, angry, sarcastic, bitter, unkind, stubborn, vindictive, hateful… 

We can’t help but notice that Abigail’s actions correct David’s misdirected intentions.  A righteous woman can have a dynamic impact on the lives of those around her!  Abigail shows us that destroying the evil person is not the way to deal with them.  She is forthright and honest with Nabal and leaves the results to God.  Interestingly, Nabal’s death is attributed to God’s action:  “About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal and he died.”  (v.38)

When we are forced to deal with unrighteous people, we must maintain godly standards.  We don’t have the option of using their tactics.  We live by a higher standard.  We stay righteous and trust God to work it out.  He will! 

WATCH OUT FOR COMPLACENCY!

 I just read I Corinthians 10:1-13 (NIV - 1984).

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. 

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did--and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did--and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did--and were killed by the destroying angel. 

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

This passage is full of Old Testament references.  Paul intends to use the ancients to teach a lesson to the moderns.  

The ancient Israelites who escaped Egypt with Moses as their leader were all given the same opportunities that Moses had been given:

• they lived under the cloud (and pillar of fire) that represented God's presence.
• they all passed through the sea and witnessed the miraculous protection and provision of God.
• they all received a type of baptism by passing through the sea and experiencing the cloud of God's presence.
• they all ate the same spiritual manna.
• they all drank the same spiritual water provided by their God - the Rock (a pre-image of Christ)!

However, God was not pleased with most of them and their bodies ended up scattered all over the desert.

Paul is clear in indicating that these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did (v.6).  

Then, he moves to specifics:

      1. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were...(v.7).

What does it mean to be an idolater?  In its simplest form, it means to put ANYTHING/ANYONE before God!  Paul doesn't illustrate, so I won't either.

      2. We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did...(v.8).

         

Paul doesn't extrapolate here except to remind us that 23,000 Israelites died because of their immorality [see Numbers 25:1-9].

      3. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did - and were killed by snakes...(v.9).

Again, Paul doesn't illustrate, but I'm thinking of Annanias and Sapphira (Acts 15:1-11), and the Israelites in Numbers 21:5-6, where they were rebellious with God and Moses because they were hungry and homeless.  Testing God seems to be failing to have faith in God's plan and refusing to trust God to work on our behalf.

      4. Do not grumble as some of them did - and were killed by the destroying angel...(10).

In Numbers 16:41, the Israelites complained that God and Moses had caused the death of 250 of Korah's men who had rebelled against Moses' leadership.  If you've read Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus and Deuteronomy, then you know that the main sin of Israel during this period was complaining/grumbling.

Paul then makes it clear that these things were written down as WARNINGS FOR US on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come (v.11 ) [that's Jesus]!  

Then, in verse 12, he talks about complacency:  ...if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall.  

Paul ends his mini-message with words that many of us memorized when we were young.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.    (v.13)

There's the word for the day:

You cannot and will never face a temptation that can't be resisted!  God will ALWAYS BE THERE and He will always offer you a way to escape!  And in the words of Barretta, "You can take that to the bank!"