January 2008 Archives
You Never Know…
January 27, 2008
This week, Anita flew with me to San Diego, California as I attended the annual Mega-Metro Minister of Missions Conference. Fifty “MoMs” from some of the largest churches in the Southern Baptist Convention convened for discussions, strategizing and collaborations. Thanks for the prayers from many of you who knew we were going.
While we were there, Anita called her mom. “Charlie,” our affectionate nickname for Charlene Palmer (Anita’s mom), has been fighting the developing leukemia for over a year, but it has gotten significantly worse since last October. When she called on Monday, it was clear that Charlie was barely hanging on. After tears and prayers, we decided that Anita ought to fly to Houston where Charlie was taking treatments at M D Anderson (They did a great job there but there is a limit to what medicine can do.).
I can remember at Thanksgiving watching Charlie, Don, and others driving away from our home and I thought that this may be our last one together. Only God knows, but it may have been.
Just this last week, we said, “Good bye” to Morris Dupre (Of course, for a Christian, those “good-byes” are actually “see you laters” – since we have the promise of heaven.). Many of you know Billie, Morris’ wonderful wife – pray for her during this time. He was the director of one of my LIFE groups and was a good friend. We are going to miss him like crazy.
Anita and I claim six children as ours. They are going to miss Charlie BIG time. She was one of the most energetic 75 year old ladies I have known. She was so giving and loving. She prayed for her many grandchildren, her three girls and for me.
Here is the point of this… We do not know what is ahead; what good we can do we should do as soon as possible. For instance, I never knew that the last time I saw Charlie, that is possibly would be the last time. [I am writing this from San Diego as Anita prepares to fly to Houston. I do not know when Charlie will die. Only God knows.]
We are not promised tomorrow. God holds the times of our life (and death) in His hands. His timing is perfect. He is never late. Nothing thwarts His will or happens outside of His perfect plan. I may not understand Him completely, but I know I can trust Him.
So what about you? What do you need to do today that you should not wait to do? Who do you need to contact? Who do you need to see? Why are you delaying? You may not have tomorrow. You never know…
Church Vision In Action
January 20, 2008
Did you hear it? Last Sunday our pastor, Dr. John Avant, shared his vision for our church in his first annual State of the Church address, reminding us that God wants to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that is at work in us so God can receive glory in the church (Ephesians 3:20-21).
Did you hear IT? Dr. Avant shared what he sense God is calling our church to do as we move into the bright future He has for us. “We are to give ourselves to the transformation of our community and of the city of Las Vegas, NV, or the country of Wales and of the unreached people group, the Bongay people of Central Asia.”
Did you HEAR it? The Scripture questions whether we have “ears to hear.” In other words have you heard and understood what God is saying. Each of us needs to obey God and do what He tells us to do. It will take all of us using our gifts and talents to serve Him by serving others.
Did YOU hear it? This is not for someone else. It is for you. Yes, the Leadership Staff should give themselves. Yes, the deacons and Life Group leaders should give themselves. Yes, every church member should give themselves. But the main question for you is: Will you give yourself?
Where do you start? Dr. Avant said that we will focus on our community in 2008. That focus has two parts:
Our Community of Faith (The church family)
Our Community of Focus (Ouachita Parish)
Reaching our Community of Faith—While we move out we must also care for our church family. That is why there is a renewed effort to develop care networks in all of our LIFE Groups. Will you be a care leader, which means praying for and contacting a few class members monthly?
Reaching our Community of Focus—We are seeking to equip our church to be effective and safe as we move out into a dangerous world. That is why we are offering the “Security Level Training Workshop” on January 25-26. This is the same training offered at the International Mission Board so that missionaries can be aware of how to serve without getting into extreme danger from those in this lost world that hate our Lord and his church. We start on Friday night at 6:00 in A100-102. The cost is $10 a person ($5.00 more for lunch on Saturday; deadline for meal sign-up in January 23: Missions Office number is 388-0906.).
“The success of any organization is its ability to marshal its resources and personnel into the fulfillment of its mission.” That means that we need YOU!
Have you heard about the effort to help dear church member Penny Howard? For more information on how to help contact the Singles Office.
Another Reason to be
an Authentic,
Caring Community in Action
January 13, 2008
I never really thought about it until I read the article by Miriam Neff in Christianity Today. She entitled it, The Widow’s Might and revealed her own pain as she discovered the difficulties many widows endure. WE need to hear her story.
“I am part of the fastest growing demographic in the United States. We are targeted by new-home builders and surveyed by designers. We are a lucrative niche for health and beauty products, and financial planners invite us to dinners. It’s no wonder the marketers are after us: 800,000 join our ranks every day. Who are we? We are the invisible among you—the widows.
Studies show that widows lose 75 percent of their friendship network when they lose a spouse. Sixty percent of us experience serious health issues in that first year. One third of us meet the criteria for clinical depression in the first month after our spouse’s death, and half of us remain clinically depressed a year later. Most experience financial decline.”
Beyond the statistics she made it even more personal when she revealed: “With my husband Bob’s exit to heaven, my daily life has changed: my calendar, my checkbook, the thermostat, the contents of the refrigerator, and even the look in my children’s eyes when they step through the door on holidays… Our oneness is now ripped in two. My inarguably better half was gone and the gaping wound created by his exit had every nerve ending screaming—even though I was supposed to be numb.”
She points out that God’s people in Scripture had a special interest in widows: “…the early church clearly made it a priority by appointing church leaders to oversee the care of widows (Acts 6:1-7).” God “measures others by how they treat us (James 1:27).” Jesus “commends one widow for her sacrificial giving (Mark 12:42-44).”
Our Single Adult Ministry should be an authentic, caring community to all people including widows. What should we do? She gives us some suggestions:
- Please do stay connected. While widows may need some ‘space’, she says, “There is already a huge hole in our universe.”
- Please invite us to anything. “We may decline but will appreciate being asked.”
- Please accept us where we are. “Death comes … (and) our experiences are so different … through grief. Do not assume we go through the grief process ‘by the book.’”
Do you know a widow? Maybe you should! Is there something that your class can do for a widow? Many of the singles in our community are widows. Many of them need the love and caring that you and your class can give them. No one should have to do life alone!
An Authentic Caring Community in Action
January 6, 2008
On January 7, a new College Football National Champion will be crowned. A lot of us hope that the trophy will return to Baton Rouge, LA and stay in the Southeastern Conference. It is enough to make this die-hard Auburn fan wear purple and gold!
Will you be watching the game? Will you be watching it with others? Do you like watching football games? For many of us we like it best when we can watch it with others and celebrate with them (Anita likes watching games - The noise of the crowds usually puts her to sleep!). By the way, thank you to Teresa, Lora, Torrey and others who helped cheer my team on to victory in overtime at the New Year’s Eve Party!
Yep there is something good about having friends and family members with you as you press on to victory. This can apply to life as well as to football. To some it can be a matter of life or death… literally.
In 1985 I ran across the statistic that more people die in the month of January than any other month of the year. Over the years I have talked to funeral directors about it and they have concluded that this is true. In my family, three out of my four grandparents died in January.
The reason for the deaths can be linked to a number of factors. For some the cold and inclement weather has affected them and they die due to the adverse conditions. In fact funeral directors have said that a wet December produces a “bigger crop” of funerals in January.
But many people are affected as much by emotional factors than physical ones. Some people have “held on” so that they can spend a last Christmas with their family and friends; after using up so much energy they do not have the power to live on after having such a great final family time. Some have the opposite problem; they have had a terribly lonely and difficult Christmas season with no one to care for them. Many people become so depressed that they just give up on life and die of loneliness. I understand that it happens.
What should we as a Single Adult Ministry do in the face of this? Over the years, the churches that I have pastored have chosen to do something for those who may be most lonely during the month of January. One church had a “Golden Years Lunch” as a gift for the elderly of the community. Others have had special outreach activities to those who are sick, infirmed or alone. Many people thanked us over the years saying that our efforts enabled them to make it through a difficult time.
Look around. Is there someone who needs you? What can your class do to help someone else? Be a Champion to someone around you. Be a friend. Let’s be an authentic, caring community in action. |
