THIS GIANT WAS ON GOD'S SIDE!

He first came into my life while I was leading the Oakland Church in East Liverpool.  I had arranged for an evangelist named Lucien Behar to come for a few days of training.  Jim Stetler - from Akron - brought him and they both stayed in our home.  I already knew the stature of Lucien, but I was very impressed with Jim over that few days.  He and Lucien regaled us with stories at meal times.  The training times were very effective and moved us toward being a more outreaching congregation.  I think it was the fall of 1993.

After a family crisis launched us into a period of limbo in 1997, we eventually landed in Akron, Ohio, running a licensed home for behaviorally challenged kids.  That gradually led to my full time employment with the Cornerstone Church, led by Brenda Young.  That's when I ran into Jim again.  He was a deeply established leader at Cornerstone and highly regarded by everyone.

Jim was a door-opener!  He had a tenacious way about him that both endeared him to people and irritated people.  When folks would miss church on any given Sunday, Jim would go home and begin making phone calls to let them know he missed them.  I'll never forget a conversation we had one day when he complained to me that he could never get through in calling these people.  The look on his face was priceless when I told him about caller-ID and suggested that they were filtering his calls and choosing not to speak to him! 

Two words leap to my mind when I think about Jim (who just went to Heaven a few days ago):  dedicated and passionate!  Jim got up VERY EARLY several days a week for many years to meet with groups of men over breakfast for spiritual training.  He was involved in men's ministry at three different levels that I was aware of:  the local church, the city of Akron and the national level.  He wanted to see men fulfill their God-appointed role in the family and in the church.  I've observed few who had the bullish determination for pursuing people as Jim did!

Although I was the Lead Associate at the church, I considered Jim as a role model and coach.  I didn't agree with him on everything (few did), but I always gave him respect because no one worked harder for the Kingdom than Jim did!  He was often at the center of conflict with other staff members - even Brenda.  You had to have patience to work with Jim;  he saw things through a singular lens and fought hard to defend his position!  But he had a soft side, too, and could admit his mistakes and exhibit humility.

Jim also had a humor bone and a mischievous grin that let you know he was pulling your leg!  He could laugh as well as anyone - even when the joke was on him.  I loved this guy!

Let me give you a picture of the wisdom that God imparted to him.  One Wednesday evening, we had a summer cook-out.  A new couple with several young children showed up for the first time.  I noticed them immediately and moved to meet them and begin to get acquainted.  It didn't take long for Jim to spot them, too.  He came over and I introduced him.  The young woman jumped on having two leaders before her and said:  "We're not married, but we live together.  I'm an exotic dancer, and we have a lot of history behind us.  We've been to several churches and when they find this stuff out, they let us know that we're not welcome anymore.  Is it going to be any different here?"

I didn't even get a chance to respond.  Jim gave her an immediate response that was straight from the heart of God.  "Let me tell you about Cornerstone Church.  You will be completely accepted and loved here!  We will help you to grow in your relationship to God.  However, you will not be invited to membership or leadership until you have begun your walk with  Christ."

That was all they needed to hear.  They became very active at Cornerstone and brought scores of their friends to us as well!  She became a leader and had a prolonged and dynamic influence on the Kingdom of God!  Debbie and I became very close to this couple and their family.  For about a year, Debbie led a Bible study for her and her dancer-friends!  Jim's Spirit-wisdom opened the door!

Jim led a Sunday School class every Sunday morning for years!  In this class he taught and matured new believers.  If they dropped out - he pursued them!  Most of our leaders at Cornerstone had Jim's fingerprints all over them!

Jim was the iconic bulldog for Jesus!  He set a pace of persistence, diligence, determination, focus and passion that made a massive difference at every level of his investment.

My sympathies to Bonnie and Jim's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren;  he will surely be missed!  Also to Cornerstone Church who has lost one of their giants!  But to be honest, I can't help but giggle to think of that moment when Jim fell into the arms of Jesus, his Savior!  I can see Jim trembling and weeping as Jesus whispered into his ear:  "Good job, Jim!  Thanks for all you did for Me!  You made a huge difference!" 

TROY BOY'S ARRIVAL

It was supposed to be a BIG SUNDAY!   I had been leading the McClellandtown Free Methodist Church for over two years.  We had seen significant growth in the congregation through new converts.  This particular Sunday, August 24, 1980, I was scheduled to baptize nearly thirty people in a lake following our morning worship.  Woo Hoo!

Early that morning, Debbie being pregnant with our second child, woke to her water breaking.  She called me and told me that it was time to go to the hospital.  Sunday morning!

Travis had been born via a Caesarian Section, but we hoped for our next child to be a natural birth.  It had been four-and-a-half-years, but our doctor still recommended the University Hospital in Morgantown.  We had to have an operating room on stand-by in case any problems developed.  McClellandtown was a forty-five minute drive from the hospital on a back road that went north, east, south and west to get there! 

Debbie immediately called our next-door-neighbor, Rose, to watch Travis while we were gone.  Rose was a member of our church and was excited for us.  I immediately called a Lay Minister in our congregation, Mike Dunham, and asked if he could preach for me that morning.  I had put him on notice jokingly a month earlier;  little did we know that he would actually have to do it.  He agreed!  Then I called my Superintendent, Ralph Page, and asked if he could attend the baptism service and fulfill my responsibilities there.  He also agreed!

We grabbed the necessities and began our twisting journey.  First, we drove through Masontown, Pennsylvania, and dropped down into a long valley on the other side.  As I flew along with Debbie rubbing her belly and counting to herself, we passed the Dunham family heading toward the church.  They saw us and we exchanged horn toots and vigorous waving.  [I would find out later that week that they ran out of gas immediately after passing us.  Mike had to walk into town for gas which made them late for church.  No cell phones in 1980.  But Rose, filled everyone in and Mike eventually made it in time to preach.  J]

The trip was chaotic!  I drove as fast as I could and still be safe!  Debbie was doing her Lamaze training to try to stay calm and focused.  I was flying! 

Finally, we arrived at the hospital and I parked at the emergency entrance.  I helped Debbie out of the car and we entered the hospital.  We received assistance quickly and she was placed in a wheel chair and taken from me to the labor room.  I was instructed to go to admit her.  I did so as quickly as possible and then flew up to the labor room. 

Everything had been prepared and all precautions were in place.  Troy was delivered without much difficulty at 1:40 PM. I remember telling Debbie that we had another boy!   What an exciting day for us!  We were so happy to have another baby in our arms.  Within moments after his birth, he was wrapped in blankets and placed on Debbie’s stomach – inches from where he’d been moments ago! 

Eventually, Debbie was moved to a room and Troy was taken to the nursery.  Debbie was exhausted, but it was a wonderful exhaustion!  We celebrated the tremendous joy of having grown our little family.  During this time, I made calls to grandparents, family and other friends to announce our joyful news.  We named the baby, Troy William Haire.  Travis bore my father’s middle name and now Troy would bear her father’s middle name! 

The afternoon passed quickly and soon it was early evening.  The churches of the Uniontown District were holding August Sunday Evening Worship services at the campground.  I decided that I would attend this service and proudly announce the birth of our second child!  I said good-bye to Deb and headed out of the hospital.

That’s when it hit me!  I had left my car in the emergency entrance with the doors open and the motor running earlier that morning!  As I exited through the ER, of course – NO CAR!   I went back to the nurses station and asked if they knew anything about my car.  They told me that the shift had changed and they had no knowledge of the whereabouts of my car.  I asked if there were any keys on their desk and they eventually produced my key ring.  Security was unable to help me.  So, I exited the building and began my search.  Before long I thought I saw it on a far corner of the parking lot.  After a long walk, I did discover it.  The security person taught me a lesson that day!  I made it to the service and then later picked up Travis.  That’s how we began our lives as a family of four.

TRACIE ELIZABETH'S ARRIVAL

It was just several months after Troy’s birth that I came home and found Debbie feeling pretty low.  She’d been to the doctor and I was worried that she might have received a bad report.  I pressed her for details.  With tears, she burst out:  “I’m pregnant again!”  My response was immediate and spontaneous:  “That’s fantastic!”  She was instantly relieved.  After four-and-a-half-years of trying to get Troy, her birth came as a delightful surprise! 

The pregnancy was much like Troy’s.  Debbie was her healthiest when she was pregnant!  She had hardly packed her pregnancy clothes away! 

Of course, we had the same doctor and he required the same safety measures regarding this birth.  Consequently, the birth had to take place at the University Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia.  We had to have an operating room reserved in case problems developed.  All this was necessary since Travis had been a Caesarian delivery, but Troy’s delivery had been a natural one. 

It was a bit of a nuisance to have to travel to Morgantown for doctor’s appointments, but the joy of the purpose overcame the inconvenience of the trip.  The road we traveled went through Masontown and Whitehouse and had lots of curves.  It was a challenging road to drive if you were in a hurry!  We had made the trip in a hurry some months ago [see my story, TROY BOY’S ARRIVAL].

The pregnancy went well and we reported for all of Deb’s appointments without problems.  One Wednesday night, she felt that things were coming ready to deliver and called our neighbor, Rose, to be on alert in case her contractions began. The next morning, we left Travis and Troy with Rose and made the trip to Morgantown for a regularly scheduled appointment with her doctor.  It was August 13, 1981.  We arrived at the hospital to find a new, temporary check-in system being used.  This concerned us because the line we were waiting in was long and seemed to be moving slowly. 

After a significant wait, we were seated before a relatively young, African-American man who was responsible for our intake.  I tried to field all of his questions while Debbie systematically closed her eyes and did her counting, while lightly rubbing her hands on her belly.  I could tell that the young man felt the urgency!  He began to break out in sweat and occasionally mopped his forehead with his handkerchief.  FINALLY, we were cleared to head to her doctor’s office to report for her appointment!

Her condition was quickly recognized to be urgent there and she was admitted and rushed to the labor room!  Things can move quickly in a hospital when they need to! 

When I finally was allowed to join her in the labor room, she was in a hospital gown and in the stirrups with the doctor all ready to assist with the delivery.  That’s when everything stopped!

No contractions!  No discomfort.  The doctor was concerned and placed a tap on the baby’s head.  The read-out indicated no stress on the baby;  it was okay.  He smiled and said that sometimes this just happens and that we would have to wait for Debbie’s body to signal the impending delivery. 

At that point, I was standing on her left side while holding her hand and encouraging her.  The anesthesiologist was a foot away at her head.  He suggested that I pull a stool over to be close to Debbie – since we were obviously in for a delay of unknown length.  Before I did so, I leaned in and whispered to her that she was lucky to be able to have her pastor with her in the delivery room!  She smiled and squeezed my hand.  As I walked away to get the stool, the anesthesiologist leaned down and asked her:  “Is he really your pastor?”   Ha ha ha…  Debbie delightfully reported that ‘Yes’ I was her pastor, but also her husband!  We all had a good laugh at that!

After about a fifteen minute wait, Debbie’s body resumed the delivery process and within a few minutes, we had our third child!  Excitedly, I reported:  “It’s a girl!”  She was born around 2:40 PM and weighed 6 pounds and 13 ounces. 

Throughout their childhood years, Tracie took great delight, from August 13 till August 24, reminding Troy that for that period they were the same age!  It was a miserable time for Troy!   

We had discussed names for boys and girls.  We wanted to stay with the T’s, although I had advocated for the girl’s name, Hannah.  Elizabeth was a family name on both sides, so we had decided to use it as a possible middle name – if we had a girl.  I had also suggested a creative combination by naming her ‘Tracibeth’;  we both liked that.  However, when the person came to ask her name for the birth certificate, she caught Debbie unprepared – so her name went down as Tracie Elizabeth Haire.  J

We were now very happy and satisfied with our little girl - as a family of five! 

WISE PEOPLE LISTEN TO WISE COUNSELORS

I just read two stories that illustrate the wisdom of heeding the advice of wise counselors.  Of course, the opposite is also true:  negate the counsel of foolish advisers.

In Numbers 13, God has Moses send twelve spies to infiltrate the Promised Land and bring back a report before they cross the Jordan River and begin their occupation of Israel.  This story is well known.  Ten come back with a fearful report of giants, walled cities, and massive numbers of Canaanites.  Two - Joshua and Caleb (we remember their names) - bring back a report of fertile land and excitement over the victory that God will give!

Unfortunately, the children of Israel believe the majority report:  [Numbers 13:32b - 14:1]

______________________________________________

So the report of these other scouts was quite disheartening; it made the people question God’s promise.

Other Scouts: The land that we surveyed virtually eats its own, and the people themselves are gigantic.  We saw the massive Anakites who descended from the ancient Nephilim!  We look like grasshoppers compared to them, and they know it.

At this, everybody with one voice cried out, and the people groaned and wept all night.

_______________________________________________________________________________   (The VOICE)

These people paid dearly for their poor judgment and lack of faith. As a result, all (aged 20 and older) were left to wander in the wilderness for another 40 years until every last one of them died; except for Joshua and Caleb! It was their children who would inherit the new land and complete God's plan!

There's another story in I Chronicles 19, that highlights a similar folly. King David is solidly established in Israel and has expanded his kingdom by enormous proportions. Nahash, the king of the Ammorites, died and David sent emissaries of condolence. Upon their arrival, the new king, Nahash's son, Hanun, is advised by his chiefs that these emissaries are really there to spy.

Hanun heeds their counsel by humiliating David's messengers;  he has them shaved and cuts their garment hems off at their hips!  BIG MISTAKE!!!!

David responds as you would suspect.  He sends his armies to defeat the Ammonites!

_________________________________________

Having wise counselors in place provides a huge advantage in life!  Proverbs 11:14 declares:  "...victory is certain when there are plenty of wise counselors."

Those who go-it-alone, or worse, gather foolish advisers suffer for their indiscretion!  

I've been fortunate to have intersections with wise counselors throughout my life!  This is not to say that there weren't foolish voices as well, but most of the time I was discerning and recognized the voices of wisdom.  

Wise people cultivate relationships of trust with wise counselors!  

Although I could cite many, I'll choose three examples from my life.

R

First, when I was in my 30's I became aware that a woman was pursuing an inordinate amount of time with me.  I noticed that she was dressing up when she knew we would be together.  I felt flattered.  My imagination began to run wild.  I recognized that I was in trouble!  I called a peer and asked if I could come for a visit.  I drove to his office immediately and confessed my temptation and my fear.  I listened to his counsel and maintained a relationship of accountability with him for a while until I felt that I was on solid ground again.  His role in my life at that critical time was far more significant than I can express in this blog!  

Second, also when I was in my 30's, I faced an emotional crisis of phenomenal proportions.  Let's call it a case of major burn-out!  Full time pastoring, part-time seminary, a growing church, and the demands of being a husband and father combined to take me down.  I resigned immediately from my position with no plans for supporting my family.  

Two people stepped into my life.  Alma Kelly was on my pastor's cabinet and she took authority to place me on an indeterminate leave of absence with full pay!  For the next two months my pay was delivered to my home every Sunday!  

During that time, God brought a man back into my life who had been a hero for me.  When I was four years old, I idolized my pastor, Glenn Hughes, and wanted to be a preacher Ike him when I grew up! He had intersected my life at two previous critical times, and now God brought him to me again.  I don't remember his words.  I do remember his acceptance.  He didn't judge me as a failure.  He comforted me.  He made suggestions - which I followed.  Between His wise words and a miraculous intervention by God, I returned to my role after several months and never questioned my call again!

Third, our family faced a financial crisis during our time in East Liverpool, Ohio.  It was brought on by a lack of wisdom in our financial dealings.  We had accrued debt for my substantial educational pursuits.  We had also acquired credit card debt.  For several years in a row we had taken out a loan to pay our taxes.  The stress on me was a contributing factor to the burn-out experience described earlier.  

I cannot fully express the pressure that I was under during that time period!  Our finances became a trigger for depression that began to destroy my life.  My family lost several years of my presence as a result of depression dips that usually lasted for about three weeks.  During those times, it took all of my energy to function at a minimal level!  

God brought to my side two wise counselors:  Pete Muschweck and Ron Kelly.  Pete was my treasurer and he had a great deal of practical wisdom that he was willing to share with me.  He didn't judge me and offered me hope.  Ron's wisdom was in the area of biblical insight.  He taught me God's principles of financial management.  He was patient with me and raised my confidence that we could change our circumstances through faith and obedience!  He prayed with me and for me!  

As a result of this guidance, we were able to eliminate our debt over the next ten years!  Taking away one of depression's key triggers has brought renewed peace to my life!  We could not have done this without the help of wise counselors.

_______________________________________

Do you take advantage of wise counselors?  Or are you facing life's dilemmas on your own?  Have you experienced the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that comes from sitting down with someone who is compassionate, understanding and wise?  

While pastoring in New Middletown, Ohio, I realized that most of the couples coming to me for marriage had not been exposed to even one long-term, happy marriage.  We had five couples in the church at the time who had been married over fifty years!  I began to make an assignment to these couples:  "Here's a list of five couples who have been married for fifty years.  Invite one of these couple out to dinner and interview them.  Ask them how they made their marriage work.  Be aggressive in asking specific questions - even write them down ahead of time."  

I believe this simple assignment had more effect than all the wise counsel I gave them in our pre-marital sessions!  

Do you trust your pastor?  Is there an older person you admire?  Do you recognize someone who has achieved what you only dream of?  Are there family members who seem to manage their lives better than you do?  

If you feel you could benefit from wise counsel, but don't see anyone on the horizon, why not ask God to bring someone to you?  

If you have any trust in me, I'd be happy to sit down with you - call me:  (724) 944-3881. 

Meanwhile, keep in mind that one of the treasured names for the Holy Spirit is "Counselor"!  :-)

HE SAVED MY LIFE!

Right about this time of year in 1941, ten prisoners disappeared from the German death camp at Auschwitz.  In retaliation and an attempt to deter further escape attempts, the camp deputy commander ordered that ten men be starved to death in an underground bunker.  When one of the selected men, Franciszek Gajowniczek, cried out, "My wife! My children!", Father Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan friar, volunteered to take his place.  Father Kolbe was then 47. Mr. Gajowniczek was 41. 

After two weeks of dehydration and starvation, only Kolbe remained alive. The guards wanted the bunker emptied, so they gave Kolbe a lethal injection of carbolic acid. Kolbe is said to have raised his left arm and calmly waited for the deadly injection.  He died on August 14.  For his sacrifice, he was declared a saint in 1982, by Pope John Paul II.  Gajowniczek - the man Father Kolbe saved died on March 13, 1995, at Brzeg in Poland, 95 years old - 53 years after Kolbe had saved him.   [credit:  Wikipedia]

History is punctuated with many stories of people who made similar sacrifices for loved ones and even unknown others.  Some fell on grenades to save comrades;  others plunged into floodwaters to save drowning people.  

The 1961 movie, BARABBAS, tells the fictional account of the man who was released before Jesus was crucified.  In the story-line, he goes on to live a violent and rebellious life of suffering and misfortune, until circumstances cause him to turn to faith in Christ.  His is the proverbial story of a person who was granted life because someone else took his place in death.  

I was reading the Bible this morning and came to my psalm for the day:  Psalm 87.  Verse 13 caught my attention for more than a few moments:   [from The VOICE]

"...Your loyal love for me is so great it is beyond comparison.  

You have rescued my soul from the depths of the grave."  

I was captivated by David's (the psalm-writer) devotion and conviction that he had been rescued from death by the grace of God.  

By divine coincidence (I love that phrase), I also read Colossians 1, today.  I was stunned as I read verses 21-23a:   [also from The VOICE]

"You were once at odds with God, wicked in your ways and evil in your minds;  but now He has reconciled you in His body - in His flesh through His death - so that He can present you to God holy, blameless, and totally free of imperfection as long as you stay planted in the faith."

It hit me:  I am Franciszek Gajowniczek!  I am Barabbas!  I live because someone else died!  This person was a real, live person - even though He lived two thousand years ago.  However, He was more than just a person - He was a God-man!  This God-man, Jesus, said in John 8:51 (another chapter I coincidentally read today):  [from The VOICE]

"I tell you the truth, anyone who hears My voice and keeps My word will never experience death."  

Point taken:  I have been rescued from death by Jesus!

According to his own reports, Mr. Gajowniczek felt guilty.  The other inmates became brutal and mean to him because his outcry took away their confessor and confidant.  He lived every day with a deep sense of gratitude to Father Kolbe for his sacrificial action.  How could he not?

David seems to express that same measure of gratitude.  Nearly half of our book of 150 psalms were penned by this man-after-God's-heart!  

After thinking through the above, I have come to realize that I have not lived every day with a due sense of appreciation to the One who saved my life!  

Oh, I 

• visit His House once-a-week,
• read His Word from time-to-time,
• say a prayer before most of my meals,
• call out to Him when I have a problem,
• occasionally wear Christian T-shirts,...

Are you seeing (as I have) how pathetic this is?  

He stepped into MY PLACE!

He took the punishment for MY SIN!

He declared ME innocent!

He rescued me from death ETERNALLY!  

Is this the best I can do for someone who has given so much?  

Do I, like Franciszek Gajowniczek, think of my savior EVERY DAY?

Do I live with a sense of deep, deep gratitude to the One who took MY PLACE?
Do I talk about Him daily?  Do I praise Him to others?

Can I do better?

Oh, YES, I can do better.  And I've spent some time this morning talking with Him about my determinations to live my life more purposefully as an expression of my gratitude for what He has done for me!  

How about you?  Have you acknowledged Jesus as YOUR Savior?  If so, that means He took YOUR place, too!  Are you thinking of Him with gratitude every day?  Are you making your life count?  

If you haven't acknowledged Him as your Savior - and want to, call or text me;  I'd love to talk with you about that...   (724) 944-3881

THE BEST DAY!!!

Actually, the title should be: THE BEST TWELVE DAYS!  Or, it could be: WE LOVE OUR FAMILY!  :-)

Debbie and I look forward to July because our grandkids, Rylie and Coltin, come to join us for Family Camp in East Liverpool, Ohio every summer.  For ten days we live together in the cabin that I built (with the enormous help of my good friend, David Rose) eight years ago (mostly paid for by Travis).  It's rustic.  We eat our meals in the dining hall (except Coltin, whose allergies demand that he eat most of his meals at the cabin).  They participate in the children's programming and we all go to church together each evening.  In the afternoons, they play with their many cousins and we often go swimming at Uncle Jeff and Aunt Cathy's!  It's an amazing time - and we LOVE it!

This year, I persuaded Tracie to stay for a few add-on days at our home in Enon Valley.  Allison, our adopted daughter (and good friend to all three T's) came in for those add-on days, too.  Troy and Missy joined us for as much as their schedules would allow.  

But yesterday...wow, yesterday was awesome!  

• the weather was GREAT!
• we were all together for most of the day.
• we ate good food  (steak and peppers-filled-with-cheese-and-wrapped-in-bacon)  Mmmmm...
• we played games (including cornhole)
• we prayed together several times
• we talked
• we rode a quad and a golf cart
• we played with Shadow and Gabe
• we went shopping at Gabe's for new school shoes (and other things)

Yesterday was the best day of my year so far!  I loved every minute of it!  It was the kind of day I often dream of, with all our family gathered around us - enjoying each other!  

Most of the time now, it's just Debbie and me - and that's okay, it's the way of life.  We enjoy being together!  My love for her grows with every day!  She's a great wife and has been a wonderful, loving Mom.  Her grandkids absolutely love her!  Me too!  When she announces that she's going to sit with her Mom for a day, it makes me sad.  I miss her.

For years, our kids have lived at a distance.  Tracie and Jon have lived in Hawaii and Connecticut.  Troy has lived in Akron, Savannah and now New Middletown.  :-)   Travis lived in more places than I can remember:  Great Lakes, Orlando, Annapolis, Sarasota Springs, Savannah, Fernandina Beach, FL, Bremerton, WA, San Diego, Honolulu...

Having our whole family home at the same time has been rare.  I often envy families that are able to do so frequently!  So, when they come, we try to pack as much in as we possibly can!  Debbie makes their favorite foods.  We focus on them and enjoy them as much as possible.  I try to make sure all the 'toys' are up-and-running.  We want everything to be as perfect as we can make it.  

Yesterday, we hit the mark!  What an amazing, wonderful, special, thoroughly enjoyable day!  Thank You, Lord, for our family!  We love them so!

We missed our two sons-in-law:  Jon and Josh, who couldn't be with us this time.  We also, of course, missed Travis, but his portrait watched over all our fun throughout our time together.  

Debbie and I are...well...BLESSED!  All these precious gifts of God have added so much meaning to our lives.  We take immense joy and pride from watching them each live their lives.  Their accomplishments bring us joy.  That's the way family should be, right?  

But now, 

• Allison left late last night
• Tracie and the kids pulled out this morning
• Troy and Missy went back to work 
• Deb left to sit with her Mom for two days
• and I --------- I'm here with Gabe and Shadow, feeling the loneliness.

 
 

But, I get to see Troy and Missy pretty frequently.  :-)  And we'll see Tracie, Jon and the kids again in August.  And then, they're coming home again in October for a family wedding!  👏👏👏👏  So, I'm happy about that.  

All-in-all, I guess you could say (in spite of my temporary loneliness) that I'm feeling very, very, very GRATEFUL!!!!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Praise Him, all creatures here below!

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host!

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

I'M A PROSPEROUS MAN!

I had a lesson that I used when I was teaching in Changchun (PRC).  It was on stereotypes.  I asked my students to start naming characteristics of Americans.  They quickly started responding:

• tall
• humorous
• outgoing
• friendly
• good-looking
• rich
• intelligent
• creative

Then, I asked them where these ideas came from.  It was a humorous moment because I watched some of them look at the list and then look at me - as the lights came on!  They had formed an opinion about Americans based on their knowledge of me and Mrs. Osborne, their freshman 'Oral English' teacher!  Now, no matter how hard I tried to convince them that I was NOT rich, they persisted in believing that I was.  Ha ha ha ha...

Today, however, I suddenly realized that I am, indeed, rich!  I placed a post on Facebook last evening and was surprised when I checked in moments ago at how many people had 'Liked' my post.  I opened the list and read down through the names.  It included people from:

• my high school class
• New Brighton FMC (my home church)
• Oakland Church
• Tri-State Family Camp
• Cornerstone Church
• Freedom Church
• the Ohio Conference (FMC)
• China
• Kittanning Free Methodist Church
• the Pittsburgh Conference (FMC)
• the Whippo family
• the Haire family
• our current neighborhood
• New Springfield Church of God
• and some others who are hard to put in a general category!

Mark Twain said, "No man is a failure who has friends."  [also quoted in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE].  

No one (except, perhaps, my Chinese students) thinks of me as a wealthy man!  However, I have always thought of myself as a suitable representative of the prosperous man that the Bible talks so much about.  I have a near-daily ritual I go through and I frequently include Debbie in it.  It goes like this:

Lord,

Thank You for my wife who loves me, encourages me and supports me in all my wild ventures!

Thank You for my children and my precious grandchildren!  I love them so!

And thank You for Leonard and Hazel Haire and the hairetage of faith they established for me!

And thank you for my siblings and the blessings they have been in my life!

And thank You for the extended family who have blessed and enriched my life beyond words!

Thank You, Lord for the many teachers who have made investments in my life over the years!  

And thank You for the mentors who modeled excellence and leadership for me!  

And thank You, Lord, for my work and the people You have caused me to intersect with over the years!

And thank You for my home and the fact that it's paid for!  Hallelujah!  (There was a time when I never thought this would be possible!)

And thank You for my cars (some will smile here).

And thank You for all the comforts that we enjoy!

And thank You for an adequate income;  

for a government that provides our Social Security;  

and for the Free Methodist Church and its wisdom in providing for my pension!

[You get the drift...]

Can you see why I consider myself a prosperous man?  Debbie and I are often surprised by the support of those around us who seem to love us and care about us.  When we went to China we were blessed to be financially and prayerfully supported by hundreds of friends and family!  When Travis died, we were overwhelmed by the supportive cards, gifts, and messages that we received.  When we faced various challenges along the way (financial, child-rearing, vocational, physical) we've always been surrounded by people who wanted to help, encourage or bless us!  

And to be quite frank:  I don't deserve any of this!  I'm a VERY average guy who was the fourth-born to a nail-maker and a home-maker.  I grew up in small-town, America, and got 28 C's in my high school career (I know this because it kept me from getting into a Master's degree program later in life).  My coolest cars were:  a '63 Chevy (when I was 16) and a brand new 1974 Mustang II  (when I was 22).  I've never made big wages and never taken extravagant vacations.  Our kids remember camping at Pymatuning as the highlight of our summer (and maybe going to the water-slides)!  I've rarely been the best at anything (although Debbie and I did get a trophy on our honeymoon for being the "Best In The Sack' [sack races - if you don't know what they are, ask a person over 50]).  

You get the drift...

And yet  -  I am surrounded by friends from so many places and environments!  This is clearly a vivid picture of GOD'S AMAZING GRACE!  And I am so thankful for the friends who populate my world!  If you're one of them - please know how much I appreciate the way you've impacted my life!

Thank You, Lord!  You're ALWAYS GOOD!!!!!!