NEED WISDOM?

 In Job 28, he explains to his friends that Wisdom cannot be found in the depths of the earth where gold, copper, sapphires and gems are found.  He declares that mortals don’t have a clue where to find Wisdom.  It can’t be bought.  It can’t be traded for.  In verse 19 ™, he says, “Pile gold and African diamonds as high as you will, they can’t hold a candle to Wisdom.”

He queries:  (v.20  TM)  “So where does Wisdom come from?  And where does Insight live?”  The answer is given in verse 23 ™ “God alone knows the way to Wisdom;  He knows the exact places to find it.”  Job repeats the source of wisdom in the last verse of the chapter:   “Then (God) addressed the human race – Here it is!  Fear-of-the-Lord – that’s Wisdom, and Insight means shunning evil.”  

I’ve been feeling pretty low lately.  Yesterday, while driving for Door Dash (my new job), things weren’t going well.  Eventually, I texted Debbie and told her I was having an awful morning.  I asked her to pray for me.  I then received the following text: 

I AM PRAYING THAT GOD WILL RUSH TO YOUR SIDE AND MAKE YOU WHOLE.  HE IS THE LIFTER OF YOUR HEAD!  YOUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH!  HE LOVES YOU AND HE IS NOT ASHAMED OF YOU! 

 

I love you, too.  You are my man, the love of my life.  

 

A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO NEED WISDOM:

O Lord!

I certainly don’t seek wisdom often enough!  I seem convinced that I have enough wisdom resulting from my studies and my life experiences.  How wrong!  How ignorant!  How presumptuous!  How ARROGANT!  The wisdom I have gained over the years is puny compared to Your Wisdom! 

By relying only on my own wisdom, I condemn myself to a life that is far short of what You may desire for me – and have planned for me.  How sad this must make You!  How often You must call my name:  “Hal!”  “Hal!”  “Come aside!  Seek Me!  Let Me guide you!”  God, how often You must feel neglected, disappointed, and rejected because I spurn that which You offer so willingly and freely!

Help me to wake up, Lord!  Remind me of how available You are and how willing to guide, provide, and protect me.  There are endless stories of my shortcomings, my humiliations and my failures.  Whatever achievements I have accomplished surely came during times when I was leaning heavy on You!  Why can’t I learn from this?

Let me say it clear and plain:  I need wisdom!  I need it daily!  Without Your wisdom, guidance, provision and protection – I am destined to suffer and falter.  Help me to hit my knees daily and cry out for Your help!  Anchor this desperate need in the core of my being.    AMEN.

PS – Lord:  Thank You for giving me Debbie – she’s my greatest treasure!

Job Searching #2

While in Akron, we essentially held down two full-time jobs:  Shelter Care and Cornerstone FMC.  When we moved to New Middletown, we dropped nearly $1,500 of income per month!  Again, it was essential that Debbie find a job to supplement the family income!  I moved to New Middletown first alone;  the family followed about six weeks later.

Upon her arrival, Deb immediately went to the Springfield Local Administration building to apply for work as a teacher's aid.  That day, it just so happened that the elementary school secretary was filling in at the high school for the day.  Her name is Diane, and Debbie and I have known her casually through the years since she used to attend the New Middletown Free Methodist Church.  As they chatted, Debbie told her that she was there to apply for a teacher's aid position.  It was late July.

No positions became available and we were disheartened.

Then, the first day of school arrived.  The Learning Disability Class teacher - Cindy - came to the elementary school office to report that her aid had not reported for work.  Upon contacting her they found that she had no plans to return for the new school year.  The elementary school principle and the learning disability class teacher were in an immediate dilemma!

At that moment, Diane remembered seeing Debbie at the Administration Offices back in late July.  She told the principle about Debbie, giving her a very high recommendation!  He suggested that Diane call Debbie immediately to see if she was still looking for work.

When Diane's call came, she told Debbie about the situation at the school.  She asked if Debbie would like the position and if she could begin the next day. With great joy and excitement, Debbie accepted the position and reported for work the next morning.  She was Cindy's aid for nine years until we left for China.  Her friendship with Cindy (and the other teachers) have become so meaningful to Debbie (and me).  She literally loved the job and the children that she worked with over the years.

JOB SEARCH TIP #2
When you put your application in, be friendly and speak to as many people in that workplace as you can - especially people you know!

Retirement?

Well, the day is almost here!  After many years of working and many different jobs, she's decided it's time!

I probably won't get all the details right, but I'll give it my best shot. 

Right out of high school, her Aunt Dorothy (Whippo) brought her into the credit department of the Kaufmann's Department Store in Rochester, Pennsylvania.  She worked with a group of beautiful, young women who all became friends.  Her Grandma Whippo lived within walking distance of this store and Debbie often spent the night with her!  During a year when her parents forbid me to see Debbie, her Grandma allowed us to meet occasionally at her apartment!  He he he he...  She loved this job!

Then - after two years at Roberts Wesleyan College - she returned home to work as a receptionist for a country doctor;  everyone called him 'Doc Kennedy'.  He invited her into his office one day to watch him deliver a baby.  In the process, he looked over and saw her going pale.  He quickly instructed her to put her head between her knees.  She loved this job!

Before we were married, we made a trip to Lexington, Kentucky.  Debbie acquired a position in the loan department of the largest bank in the city:  First Security National Bank.  As newlyweds, we became close friends with several of the young women she worked with.  We had an opportunity to let our light shine on those double-dates!  Debbie loved this job!

After almost two years, Debbie got an opportunity to be hired in the Development Office of Asbury Theological Seminary.  Here she worked with some wonderful people such as Bill Brunk and Kathleen Demeray.  She was able to walk to work instead of driving to center-city Lexington.  Debbie loved this job!

Then, Travis was born!  We moved to Jeannette, Pennsylvania, where I started to lead my first church.  Then, we moved to McClellandtown where Troy and Tracie were born.  Did Debbie continue to work?  Oh yes!  We kept her quite busy!  She loved being a mother and homemaker!

Upon arriving in East Liverpool, Debbie decided to take in several other children to supplement our income.  Our kids grew up playing with Franky and Angela and Abby and Michael and Louis.  I was often met by five or six children when I would walk in the door at the end of the day!  Although it was a noisy and sometimes messy job - she loved it!

When the kids started to school, Deb was hired to be a teller at the Tri-State Federal Credit Union in East Liverpool.  She made some great friends there and came to know many of the local residents through her work.  Their flexibility with her hours was generous and Debbie loved this job!  However, when the summer-off flexibility ended, she had to quit to be with the kids.

For one year after that she worked for her brother, Wally, at the farm.  She left East Liverpool at 5:00 AM, so she could deliver pigs to Pittsburgh - I'm not kidding!  Then, upon her return, she power-washed pig pens.  The upside:  she got to see her folks every day!  I don't really think she liked this job very much!

Then, we moved to Spencerville, Maryland, where Debbie fairly quickly was hired by a nice man to be office-manager of his small, air-conditioning shop.  It was a mile from home and he was very generous with Debbie regarding pay and necessary time off.  She loved this job!

Several years later, we landed in Akron, Ohio, where Debbie and I became 'respite' and 'shelter' parents to a long line of behaviorally challenged children.  We ran a licensed home for the Shelter Care Agency for nearly six years.  Eventually, I was hired at Cornerstone Church, which left Deb carrying the bulk of responsibility with our kids.  I doubt that she'd say she loved that job; but it was very fulfilling for us!

After Akron, we landed in New Middletown, Ohio.  Debbie was quickly hired to work as a teacher's aid for the learning disabilities class.  Debbie became really close friends with her teacher, Cindy;  they were an incredible team.  Debbie loved the children and seeing improvements in their learning skills!  She worked in this position for nine years and loved every minute of it!

Then...then I dragged her off to Changchun, China, where I was contracted to teach English to university students.  The first semester, Debbie was asked to teach a freshman pronunciation class.  Although overwhelmed, her students quickly fell in love with her and she enjoyed the experience. 

The next semester, the school did not ask her to teach.   So, Debbie became active as a private tutor and developed some very special relationships as a result.

At the beginning of our second year in China, the school asked her to teach full time - which she did until we left Changchun!  She taught science majors, freshmen, graduate students, and even a class of the brightest students in the university!  She made a deep impression on her students and enjoyed every part of the experience!

Upon our return to the United States, Debbie reacquired a position as an aid at Springfield Elementary School.  However, the trauma of adjustment, Travis' death and a very different class culture has caused her to struggle;  as a result, she has decided to retire!

Yep, you heard me right!  At the young age of sixty-five she's calling it quits.  She already talks about volunteering at a church's coffee shop.  She's also mentioned the possibility of a part-time job.  So, we'll see.  But, officially, the word's out.  Forty-seven years after starting at Kaufmann's - she's finished! 

And I say a hearty congratulations to her!  She's done it all with such grace and class!  She's truly an amazing woman.  Why?

Because along with all the jobs described above, she's

• kept me comfortable and happy,
• raised three kids,
• stayed actively involved in all our churches,
• taught classes,
• maintained friendships,
• kept our home organized,
• used her gift of hospitality throughout, and
• generally improved every life she's touched.

The world needs good examples today!  I suggest that my wife is as good an example as you're going to find!  I wish her rest and joy and peace and lots of time for reading. 

My biggest wish for her?  I hope she writes her book!  She has so many stories treasured up in her heart!  I truly hope she gets them out on paper for the world to enjoy!

Anyway, this Tuesday, November 24, 2015, is her last day!  Yay!

Beaches...

It's 6:00 AM here in Kenohe, Hawaii, and I've been out walking for an hour already. Slowly, I'm being joined by others - mostly cyclists. The morning beach walkers will start arriving now  it's almost light enough to read a book.

I've enjoyed the alone time. 

What is it about a beach that opens your mind and heart for reflection?  A good campfire has the same effect. 

For me, times like this always lead me to prayers of thanksgiving and praise. 

You wouldn't be surprised that I was thanking God for Travis. From the day when we counted his toes and kissed his little nose, we've loved him. 

It's been a hoot to hear his work associates talk about (and mimic) the faces Travis made if you tried to make him think before 9:00AM.  One of his seal-friends had his look down pat, and had even nick-named him 'grumpy butt'.

Travis gave us amazing opportunities for travel and took us to such interesting places!  Debbie and I (like so many others) dreamed of taking our kids to Disney World;  but it never happened. Finances were always too tight. However, Travis did get to go with my sister, Beverly (and Dick and Heather and Aunt Peggy). 

Then came irony. Five years ago, Travis and Troy took me and Debbie to Disney World for one of the most enjoyable days of our lives!  :-)

I was also thanking God for Debbie - a virtuous wife!  Our journey hasn't been without bumps. But she's been very steady.  She has been so good at creating comfort zones for me!  For instance, our home;  it has always been my refuge. 

She's given me freedom to get away to think and pray. (Sometimes, she's even pushed me out the door saying, "You need to go for a hike!"  Ha ha ha...)

And she's bold in her faith. Over and over again - while in China - she turned the conversation into a testimony. As a result, she's personally responsible for several students giving their lives to Christ!

Just last week, she testified to her hope of Heaven to a room full of Travis' friends as they wheeled him past us to the operating room. And as she did so, these friends gathered around her in a semicircle to listen. 

Let there be no mistake about it - I married up!  

All this from an early morning walk on the beach.  

Let it be known to all that I am a grateful man!  My life has been littered with friends who have given me far more than I've given them. Just yesterday, two men went to our trailer and installed four new windows that will make us much warmer this winter. What did I do to deserve this sort of kindness?  Nothing!  It's all grace!

Thank You, Lord, for Your great grace - which is new every morning!  Where would I be if it wasn't for You?  How can I say thanks...?