Harold Kelly - Promoted!

Harold and Una Kelly, Alma Kelly, Karen Kelly

Harold Kelly was promoted to Heaven August 4, 2011.  He was a charming man who was dearly loved by everyone!  I was his pastor for 13 years.  He was the perfect greeter!  He approached everyone the same - with a cheerful, genuine smile and a warm greeting.  He would ask you how you were;  then he would answer for you:  "Tremendous!" 

Harold showed an interest in all people.  He looked for a way to connect.  He loved to converse!  Una often stands to the side waiting for Harold to finish visiting with everyone.  She's a patient woman! 

I remember him playing on our church softball team when he was well into his sixties.  He loved the Tri-State Family Camp and mourned that he couldn't attend in recent years.  He was totally supportive of Men's Ministry! 

Harold was outspoken about his faith and loved his Lord!  He supported his church strongly and visited members faithfully.  Every pastor dreams of having ten people like Harold! 

On top of it all, he was a World War II hero!  Wounded twice, he continued to fight bravely for his nation including service in the Battle of the Bulge (where some of the war's fiercest fighting took place).  He was awarded two Purple Hearts.  I take my hat off to this dear man today!  I'll miss him!  My family will miss him! 

But because of our common faith in Christ, we'll see him again! 

Balance

About a year and a half ago, I lost my balance!  I was staying busy from early morning till late at night - day after day.  I was not making time for myself.  I paid dearly in an unwanted season of depression.

Balance is SO IMPORTANT!  This week has threatened my balance.  'Hal time' has been severely limited.  I haven't been able to spend time in my garden.  I've had very little time for reading.  Every evening has been filled with something.  Not good.

So, today, I'm working a half-day.  And tomorrow holds hope for some time with Debbie!  It's time to balance my life and pay Hal. 

Al Gore may have invented the internet, but I invented the mental health day!

Are you out-of-balance?  Do you need a half-day?  Is it time to pay yourself?  If you don't take care of yourself - no one else will!  To be at your best, you must be free from bitterness and busyness. 

Get out that old sign and hang it on the door:  GONE FISHING!

Things I'm Thankful For Today

A quick assessment:

• I'm not in the hospital
• The church pays someone to cut my grass
• My car is in running condition
• Our bank account has money in it
• I have a job
• I can read
• I have numerous sets of shoes
• I will eat today
• I live in the United States of America
• I sleep in a bed
• Our home has air conditioning
• My wife loves me
• I have friends
• We have no credit card debt
• Christ has forgiven me for my sin

Take two minutes and put your own list together...

Lonely

I'm an introvert in an extrovert's job.  Social settings are much harder for me than most people imagine.  Debbie (my wife) helps me a lot in situations where there are many people.

However, last night we were on separate tracks:  she invited her parents over for left-overs while I attended our town's National Night Out.

It amazes me how lonely I can feel in a crowd.  I was surrounded by hundreds of people.  I ran into quite a few people from our church.  I saw friends and work associates.  Yet I was intensely lonely!

Eventually, it overcame me and I walked home.

I'm sure that there are many people who deal with loneliness much more intensely and frequently than me.  If you're one of those, my heart goes out to you today.

This morning, I spent some time just quietly talking with God.  I felt loved and accepted.  He comforted my lonely soul. 

Two verses to reflect on:

Song of Solomon 7:10 (NASB)

I am my Beloved’s, and His desire is for me.”

Psalm 68:6 (NASB)

God makes a home for the lonely…

You are never truly alone!

God's Provision

Debbie works as a teacher's assistant at the local elementary school.  She gets paid hourly.  We save through the year so we can pay ourselves through the summer.  It goes so easily because of graduations, weddings, vacations, and other special summer activities.  Every year we bump up the amount we're saving from each pay!

This summer, we were surprised again at how much we had spent by the end of July.  We'd essentially spent $500 more than we planned by that time.  We sat down and looked the situation over.  It would mean being frugal for the last week of July and the first four weeks of August.  But, if we stayed faithful to a strict budget, we would have $400 to cover our end-of-summer vacation.  We made a pact and placed our budget sheet in the kitchen where we would see it every day.

On Sunday, our church leaders officially welcomed us back for the 2011-12 year.  They handed us a card.  After preaching and the carry-in dinner our treasurer asked if I'd opened my card.  I slipped to the side to do so;  then quickly took it to Debbie to read.  It was a very kind expression of gratitude for our service - and included a check for $500.

Notice how much God loves!  We hadn't even asked for more money - just self-discipline.  But out of His great generosity and love, He gave us just what we needed. 

Here's a tip:  As an expression of our gratitude, we've already passed part of that gift on to someone who had a need! 

This is the way God's economy works!  Start now honoring Him with your finances!  Jesus spoke more about money than He did about Heaven!  Something to think about...

An Excellent Wife

Proveerbs 12:4 (NASB)
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.

What does it mean to be the crown of your husband?

A crown would be worn at the top of the man.  It would be the thing closest to his mind.  It is a place of affection - notice how few people we allow to touch our head.  It would be in a place of high visibility.  He would be admired and respected because of the beauty of his crown.

According to Dr. Willard Harley - in his book, His Needs, Her Needs - one of a man's top needs is "an attractive spouse". 

So many proverbs are put in the form of contrasts.  This verse is no exception.  The second half takes the opposite perspective. 

If a woman becomes bitter and hurt, she may turn against her husband and speak poorly of him.  Instead of building him up, she may tear him down.  This betrayal is like cancer in a man's bones;  it will eat away at him and undermine his confidence!

"Behind every good man is a good woman."  There's a lot of truth to that old saying.  If you want an expanded picture of the excellent wife, read Proverbs 31:10-31.

Reading the Bible

At a small get-together recently for Pastor Rufus from Liberia, he was asked his impression of America. He said the USA was so impressive, and he loved so much of it, but, "I think it must be so hard for Americans to really serve the Lord and love Jesus---there are so many distractions!" He listed all the things at our fingertips (TV, music, computers) and said with a laugh, "How do you tear yourselves away?"

I have a small home-study where I read the Bible most mornings.  I'm presently reading through Psalms and Proverbs.  I'm repeatedly amazed at how relevant the scriptures are to my life.  I often scribble down a verse and send it to a friend.  I know it helps me and makes me a better man.  Occasionally, what I've read will come back to me later in the day (that's the work of the Holy Spirit in me). 

I'm afraid many of us are allowing the distractions to keep us from the one thing that could ease our stress, give us wisdom, and draw us closer to God.  

Psalm 1:2
...his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.