Prayer for Papau, New Guinea

Six of our church members are currently ministering in Papau, New Guinea.  They are there for three weeks with a number of tasks--teaching at the pastoral training school, holding VBS's in the villages, and ministering to the forgotten women of that area, affirming their value in God's sight.

This required enormous preparation.  Materials for 2000 chidlren were prepared in advance.  Teaching posters were masterfully and artisically produced as visuals for the women and children (Thanks, Debbie).  Pastor Mark and Logan have studied for several months studying the book of Hebrews to be taught to the young men at the seminary.  The rest of the team--Desiree, Mikel, Mary and Morgan--have been getting ready for their parts, as well, training themselves to clearly articulate the gospel that they will be sharing in the various venues provided.

This is an all-church venture.  Many helped cut out and assemble the materials for the children.  Otghers helped by donating 100 study Bibles for ther pastors.  Otehrs have given to help cover the costs of travel, food, medical supllies and all the other necessitities associated with a ministry as      far-reaching as this--nearly $30,000.  A commissioning service with congregation gathered in prayerful affirmation around the team the Sunday they left was an opportunity for us all to be bound together in this ministry.

The key component, however, is prayer.  "God moves in response to the prayers of His people", writes Billingham in his book, DESTINED FOR THE THRONE.  Some of us are gathering by a small white cross outside of Jackson on Hwy 88 at 7:45 a.m. Thursday mornings; others are meeting together for prsayer in cae groups and Bible studies, remembering the team.  Sunday morning we took time in oiur worship service to join hearts together for the people of Papau, New Guinea--part of the church--the body of Christ around the world.

Everywhere I go people ask me, "Have you heard from the team?"  That m,akes me believe that we are heeding the command to "Pray without ceasing" and even though not physically on our knees before God, our hearts are continually turned towards Him in behalf of those we love--our team and the people of Papau, New Guinea.

When all else fails...

What happens when someone you love is overwhelmed by drug addiction and spirals downward into evidences of psychotic and self-destructive behavior?

What happens when a mother--much too young to die--succumbs to a horrible tumor and the vibrancy of her life is snuffed away?

What happens when you've searched for a job for three years and every door has been closed, even though you have exhausted your alternatives in seeking employment?

What happens when you are forced to stand by helplessly when an undiagnosed virus literally ravages a life...and before you can prepare yourself, death overtakes it?

What happens when you've invested all your resources in someone only to watch them walk away and pursue a path of certain failure?

The answer to all of these questions is...we grieve.  We suffer.  We ask what else we could have done? We introspectively assess our last words, our actions, our motives.  And we grieve some more.

I have been involved in situations like this almost daily for the last several months.  If not personally, as a friend, a  pastor, a counselor.  Someone who cares.  Someone who grieves.

And I am convinced that the reason God has allowed me to minister in these kinds of  situations for almost forty-five years is because I am persuaded that when all else has failed...there is still God.

A God who can break the bonds of drug addiction.

A God who can comfort a family who has laid their mother to rest. knowing she is with the Lord.

A God who can supply all of our needs--even when our employment situation is not what we would have chosen--and use the situation as a means of becoming more dependent upon him.

 A God who can remind me, even when death has seemingly triumphed, that Christ is the ultimate victor, and an eternity awaits those who have trusted in him.

A God who loves that person who walks away even more than I do--a God who is vested with divine resources that far outstrip mine in accomplishing His purposes in the life of the one I care for.

When all else fails...there is still God.

"But our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body..."  Philippians 3:20,21.

new years...

We have come through a busy Christmas season, and, hopefully, we have escaped without injury—too many credit card bills, family fatigue, and the post-seasonal “blues”.  For Beverly and I it has truly been a wonderful season with intentional time spent contemplating the true wonder of the season.  That coupled with my November ministry trip to Haiti, Thanksgiving a family trip to Dallas,  a gathering of the local Barrett family on Christmas Day, and a myriad of special church opportunities to worship and celebrate has made this a truly blessed season!

And now it’s on to a new year…with the same potential hazards—exhausting ourselves emotionally and physically in frantic pursuit of all that a new year offers   If that sounds vague let me suggest that there is value in intentionally evaluating meaningful goals in a new year.  Prioritizing what is important helps in that discipline—negotiable and non-negotiable demands on our schedules.  I am doing that again as the new year starts.  I reflected today on my personal goals when I first came to Amador County the second time fifteen plus years ago.  I was  impacted by my reading of Petersen’s THE CONTEMPLATIVE PASTOR; in his preface he asks, “ How can I persuade a person to live by faith and not by works if I have to juggle my schedule to make everything fit into place?”  He concluded that if no one asked him to do anything, he would do these three things as a pastor—pray, preach (“drenching” himself in the Word), and listen (it requires “unhurried leisure”).

I confess my years of ministry have not always reflected those three priorities to which I committed myself when I arrived to help birth Grace Fellowship Church.  But I believe they are still valid for me as a leader today, even in a time of personal transition.

1.       I want to practice what I say I believe about prayer.

2.       I want to preach (and teach) what I have discovered for myself to be true in God’s Word.

3.       I want to listen with “unhurried leisure” so I can better respond to the needs of others.

Petersen writes near the end of his book with regard to congregational expectations, “There are many other things to be done in this wrecked world and we are going to be doing at least some of these, but if we don’t know the foundational realities with which we are dealing—God, kingdom, gospel—we are going to end up living futile, fantasy lives.  Your task is to keep telling the basic story, representing the presence of the Spirit, insisting on the priority of God, speaking the biblical words of command, promise and invitation…”

Pray, preach and listen—these are priorities I affirm once again as I enter this season of transition with you.  It won’t be easy-my personal history reflects that.  But it is essential for me as I seek to pass the baton of pastoral leadership off to Pastor Mark and the other godly men with whom I am privileged to work.

What are your priorities?  How far away are they from the true landscape of your daily life?  Let’s seek God together and commit, with His divine enablement to a more intentional discipline in our lives of loving service to Him—that in the spirit of Romans 12:1, as an “act of spiritual worship”.  If we purpose to do that we may more readily escape the injuries of self-inflicted busy-ness and unfulfilled expectations.  Let’s hold each other to it!  Happy new year!

GRACE, PEACE AND HOPE...gifts that last

Someone walked into our home last night and looked bewilderedly at our tree. There are no gifts under our tree. They did not ask "why?" but I sensed they thought it strange. Maybe we are strange.

. 1. We told our family--no gifts for us. If you want to remember us, make a donation to "Dale's Fund for Haiti"--a fund to support pastors and teachers there.

 2. We don't need ANYTHING. Additionally, we may be moving in the years ahead and we have already accumulated more stuff than we care to move.

 3. For us, a Christmas card with a personal message is as valuable as anything we receive. It is nice to be remembered by our friends and family this way.

 One of our favorite Christmas activities is to sit on the couch and reread all of the Christmas cards and messages we receive. Most importantly, we are in receipt of the greatest gifts we can receive this side of heaven. I have had the privilege of teaching about those the last three weeks at Grace where I have the joy of teaching and preaching.

Grace, as revealed in John 1:14-18, is the gift revealed in the Incarnation of Jesus--God in the flesh--"full of grace and truth". What a blessing to know that because Jesus came to earth as a man--bearing our sins on the cross and paying the price for them, thus providing access to the Father--I now have forgiveness and am a child of God. That truly is a miracle of grace!

Peace is the result of Christ's work as well. Because He was the sacrifice for our sins, and because we stand by grace in His finished work in our behalf, we now have peace with God. Romans 5:1-11 details how that peace, the gift of God in Christ, allows us to live without the emptiness and hopelessness of our own pursuits.

Hope, then, is ours through the "encouragement of the Scriptures", the Word of God. In Romans 15:1-13, Paul concludes by saying, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

I've received lots of cookies and candy--thanks to all our gourmet cooks at Grace. Other tokens of love and appreciation have been graciously extended to us. Soon enough the cookies and candy will be gone, and the festive Christmas tree in our living room brimming with colorful ornaments and bright lights will be packed away. What remains will be memories of a wonderful Christmas season to be sure--and the enduring matchless gifts of grace, peace and hope in Christ.

A Christmas dinner to remember

Fifteen of us gathered together at a beautifully-decorated home of one of our church families last night. There we enjoyed a dinner "fit for a king"--creamed shrimp and cracker appetizers,fruity sherbet punch, honey-wonderful green salad, honey-glazed ham, cheesy potato casserole, carefully-baked carrots, perfectly-cooked asparagus, with a finishing delectable chocolate cake and/or a tantalizing homemade raspberry-blackberry cobbler! Does it get any better than that?

Yes.

How?

First of all, all of us work together,and we do that in the context of serving others together through our local church.

Furthermore, we all share life together. Some of us have vacationed together; others have traveled to foreign countries together to teach the Word. Still others have labored together as staff members through good and difficult times.

Finally, we all love one another--this in spite of differing opinions, changing relationships, personal crises and the inevitable seasons of life.

So...while the setting was spectacular and the food was indescribably delicious...what I will remember about last night was the people who sat next to me and across from me--people I will always love and never forget, because they have enriched my life.

Thanks to my special friends.

Time with a daughter

I love my children--all four of them--and two step-children who I happily consider my won, Additionally, I have three daughters-in-law and one son-in-law who are a special part of the extended family we call our own.

Occasionally--not nearly often enough--we get to spend time with our children. We were recently with two of our sons and eight of our grandchildren over Thanksgiving and we will be with one of my sons and a daughter and their families--including three grandchildren!--over New Years. These are special times for me, especially as I grow older and relish our times together.

Last week my youngest daughter who is single and a licensed therapist joined us for a few days, all the way from Nashville, Tennessee where she has lived for the last twelve years. Needless to say, I don't see her nearly enough so this visit was one I anticipated with excitement.

When i reflect upon our time I realize that we really didn't do anything spectacular---except spend quality time together. That included a morning walk, a trip down Main Street in Sutter Creek (worth coming to see for yourself!), dinner out at a local Mexican restaurant, a favorite place in El Dorado hills, a brunch at Andrae's (everyone in Amador County has sampled their exquisite homemade breads), and a quick stop on the way to the airport at Burger King(ugh!). We also drove to some familiar territory in Pine Grove where we once lived, attended church where I preached, and played cards (Shanghai, any one?) and sampled cheese and wine together.

A highlight was a Barrett reunion where all local family member joined us including Grandma, and pregnant cousin, Stephanie, who will become a mother again later this week. It was a special time of catching up with one another and sampling Beverly's exquisite snacks and Christmas cookies.

That sounds like alot of activity, but the centerpiece of it all was just being together. I loved reminiscing, talking about matters of personal significance, sharing our dreams for the future, listening to counsel from a loving daughter (remember, she's a therapist...and we asked her), and reaffirming the special place she has in my heart.

Daughters are special. They have a special niche in a father's heart and this past weekend my heart was warmed and enriched by time with my daughter. Hopefully, we'll do it again soon..

Thanksgiving reflections

We accomplished a couple of things this Thanksgiving holiday--we got away in our trailer (a favorite past time) and we spent time with eight of our grandchildren (a most favorite pursuit).

We discovered that deep-fried turkey is delicious (just have to figure out how to make gravy), that fourteen people squeezed together in a 32' x 8' trailer is manageable (especially if you like each other) and that even with rain, tight quarters and no television reception for the football games, it was still a memorable--if not the "best"--Thanksgiving celebration!

What made it so unforgettable? Let me list a few significant things.
1. It was not all about the food and furniture--it was more about being together.
2. It was not all about second helpings and desserts galore--it was more about being thankful we had enough to eat.
3. It was not all about the setting and regalia (or lack of it)--it was more about being with family and enjoying one another.

Having just returned from Haiti--an environment of extreme poverty--it was easy to be thankful. Even sleeping in my trailer and surrounded by the accoutrement's of camping life, I realized I am far better off than most of the world, a significant percentage of whom go to bed cold and hungry at night.

I will look back, I'm certain, at this Thanksgiving with fond memories--focused on how we we celebrated together what was really important. And with the hope that we will do it again...maybe next year!

Off to Haiti

I leave Saturday for my third trip to Haiti. It seems a long time ago that I sat in front of my television screen and viewed the catastrophic damage of the earthquake and heard God say, "Go!"

I have never been disappointed. we have held VBS's for over 1000 children, conducted Bible training seminars for over 125 pastors, built a roof for a school/church servicing 500 children and have enjoyed our relationship cultivated by the passionate heart and hard work of Gilbert Jules.

This trip we will deliver finds for a well in one of the small towns, as well as go to teach over 200 pastors the book of Romans over a four day period, eight hours a day. It is a huge but exciting task. We also will talk about how we can reach out to the children of Haiti, the heart's desire of two women in our church family through a ministry they have dubbed "The Bridge".

I am accompanied by two wonderful brothers from our church and am anxious to see how we can be humble tools in the hands of a mighty God.

Pray for us!

prayer and fasting

There is a little verse in the New Testament that says "Some things come only by prayer and fasting". it is omitted from some of the later biblical translations which utilize earlier manuscripts where that phrase does not occur. Nonetheless, I am convinced that prayer coupled with fasting has potential significance for me--just as it did for the Israelites in the Old Testament--in seeking and knowing God's will.

I am at a time where I am truly anxious to know God's will; in fact, I have a pretty good idea of how He should work. When I read that aloud I realize how foolish it sounds. My tendency is to try to facilitate God's work by stepping in where only He belongs. It is the ultimate arrogance for me to presume I can "give God a hand".

The discipline of simply adhering to God's invitation and command--"Be still and know that I am God"--encourages me to trust Him. A possible translation of that familiar verse is "Cease from your strivings..." There is the sense that when we abandon the pursuit of our efforts to manage things, God can then manifest Himself as God in His presence and all of His power.

The discipline of fasting allows me to focus my attention on something other than indulging my own fleshy appetites while at the same time seeking after God's direction for my life. I don't fast very often, and it really is between God and me whether I fast at all. I am convinced, however, it is an appropriate way for me to "set my affections on things above" and to listen for God's voice.

Transitions

Change is difficult--sometimes brutally so-- and the older I get the more reluctant I am to make changes. I guess that's because there is a certain amount of comfort in how things are. We get accustomed to a daily regimen and as proverbial "creatures of habit" fall into the surmised security of routine.

Interestingly, the life of a minister is predictably unpredictable and offers unplanned interruptions every day that would seem to argue against any presumed routine or schedule but even that, with all of its nuances, becomes an expected part of the daily fare.

My life is about to change and the direction I am going is unclear though cast in the alluring backdrop of semi-retirement. There are a myriad of options to evaluate and as I consider these I have begun to feel the accompanying emotions of grief (leaving the familiar) and apprehension (facing the uncertain).

What I have decided to do each day--and especially this morning early at the office--
is to give each day to the Lord. That may have the misleading scent of super-spirituality, but it is the only way for me to navigate these waters. I offer myself to God, as Paul challenges us in Romans 12:1, and ask God to help me live in the moment. I don't want to be so focused on anticipated changes that i miss the opportunities before me today in the unpredictable schedule of a pastor's life.

Today there is sermon preparation, a small prayer gathering, preparation for a funeral, a meeting with a personal friend, and a basketload of administrative work typical of my mid-week regimen.

So for this day I find comfort in starting my day once again anchoring myself in the certainty of my confidence that God knows all about my future and because of that I can trust Him with the unique challenges that await me today.

In the meantime, the transitions I am contemplating are somewhere between what I know about today and what He knows about tomorrow; in any case, it's a comforting place for me this morning.

the morning after

The transition from vacation to the "real world" is always a challenging one. When Beverly and I get away by ourselves we live life at a more leisurely pace, enjoying hiking(Palm Desert area has lots of places to explore), playing games(we love "Rummy-Que"), eating out (inexpensively), and dreaming together about the future (as uncertain as it is). Since we will be "retiring" soon (I will still have to work part-time), it is fun to contemplate what God has planned for us next.

Things change when I we return home. The "morning after" there is unpacking, washing clothes (thankfully, Bev does that), reading mail, responding to e-mails, scheduling the week's work, responding to the work that is an unavoidable part of ministry. I returned to prepare for two funerals in addition to the regular regimen of pastoral life.

While we were on vacation, one of our extended family had a serious heart attack and almost died; thankfully, she was at the hospital when it occurred and after successfully inserting three stints, is home, doing well, and preparing to return to work. We were reminded again of the shortness of life, the uncertainty of tomorrow. James 4:14 asks us, "What is your life? You are a mist (vapor) that appears for a little while and then vanishes".

"The morning after" a vacation, when we have enjoyed a and restful week unlike our normal routine, jolts me back to reality. Sometimes that is accompanied by a sense of dread and a penchant for complaining. But I am asking God, four "mornings after" later to recognize the value and importance of each day--whether resting or working--and to heed Paul's admonition in Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

a sobering week

This week I experienced what happens in pastoral ministry sometimes--a proliferation of tragedy. A close friend lost his healthy wife to a sudden catastrophic stroke. Days later a young friend, diagnosed two weeks ago with glioblastoma (malignant tumor of the brain), died yesterday morning, his wife and son by his side. And, tragically, a depressed young man took his life leaving a wife and teenage daughter stunned and shattered

All of these were believers. All of these were members of a church I pastored. All of these were more than just congregants. They were my friends.

It is sobering to think of the shortness of life. It is sobering to be reminded of our own mortality. It is sobering to imagine eternity without God.

As a pastor and Hospice chaplain, death is a frequent occurrence in my daily regimen. The closeness of these three relationships makes their passing especially poignant and sobering for me.

I am thankful for the hope of the gospel, the promise of eternal life for those who put their faith in Christ's work of grace for us.

A sobering week...but a time to affirm my faith.

computers and other vices

I live and die by the efficiency of my cumputer.

What a sad state of affairs! I think of all the years I wrote notes and made telephone calls and did just fine. But now, it is almost as if I am paralyzed if my computer is too slow, or fails to comply with my commands.

In recent days I have encountered several computer virsuses (they are unwelcome visitors), a confused e-mail system, and a server speed to slow to accommodate some work needed in developing a new website. Many have tried to help from an IT man from a large hospital network to a volunteer who knows much more than I do (nothing to brag about...he actually knows alot!), to a local professional who maintains all the city systems who threw his hands up in the air and confessed, "I don't know how to fix it!" (whatever it is...)

So I am now between the dilemma of pouring more money into diagnosing a problem that may be irreparable or buying a new computer. I have had this one for 5-6 years and it was the generous gift of a special friend. Until now, it has served me well.

So here's the deal about all of this "too much information about your computer" rambling. I recognize that I have been behaving poorly, even to the point today of apologizing to my secretary who must have wondered the last few days about the scowl etched upon my face. She assured me I had been kind but I think she was being generous. And then there's the sanctuary at home where i have wandered around oblivious to the nicities and daily graces of a beautiful home and a lovely wife. mired in self-pity and frustration.

I am happy to report today that I have emerged from my cocoon of inward contortion and confusion and have greeted the world with a resolute, "I can survive without my computer". And, there is so much more to life than reading my e-mail and having an engineered website.

I am ending this now because I am off to Staples to buy a new computer.

Help!

15th Anniversary

In August, 1996 five families met with me to begin the story of what is now Grace Fellowship Church. Sunday, August 21st we celebrated our anniversary...with very little fanfare but alot of thanksgiving to God--best expressed in our congregational muscial affirmation of "Great is Thy faithfulness!"

Here are some things that stand out to me when I reflect upon our journey together...

1. We have had the strength of unity that has allowed us to walk through six different locations, a challenging building program, and a dramtically depressed economic climate in a county where unemployment is near 20%.

2. We have had a sense of purpose built around the unapologetic teaching of the Word of God. Sunday School classes, small group Bible studies, care groups and worship services all provide a venue for learning the truths of God's life-changing Word.

3. We have had a spirit of compassion for the people of our community and have welcomed opportunities to assist those in need. We support the Amador Pregnancy Center, On-A-Mission Thrift Store, the Food Bank, the local rest homes, and have recently installed Angel Food Ministry to assist in getting low cost quality food to needy families. We also provide counseling resources through our local church.

4. We have had a share in outreach to the global community with a heightened sense of our mission mandate to "make disicples of all nations", most recently in Haiti, India, Pakistan, Papau New Guinea, South America and Africa, Thailand, the Ukraine and Serbia.

5. We have had the supply of grace needed from God for every ministry and every opportunity made available to us. We have grown together into a body of believers whose commitment is to be here and abroad, "a church that cares".

"Great is they faithulness! Great is they faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand has provided.
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me."

credit card and counseling

So I lost my credit card...could not find it. Looked for it, retraced my steps, called my friends, checked business establishments where I had been to see if I had left it. Result: lost credit card.

Some friends of mine getting ready to leave town for a few weeks desperately want me to counsel with a relative who is going through a dfficult time. I go to their house to try to make contact but he is not there. They leave and I promise I will try somehow to locate him while they are gone and to connect. Result: frustration.

How do these two stories relate?

Tuesday I am assuring my wife that I will find the credit card as soon as I can...and standing at the door--at the very same time--is this individual with whom I have committed to making contact--with my credit card in his hand! While trying to visit at this home last week, my credit card fell out, and he, having just found it, brought it to me.

Coincidence...?

Or, maybe that's just how God works. That's my conclusion. A lost credit card brought us together and I was able to give counsel and, hopefully, encouragement.

Isn't it cool how God works?!? Result: thankfulness.

A day at the doctor's office...

My doctor is a personal friend and I value him in many ways. He is very patient with me because I have a natural dread of doctors and doctor's offices. I have introduced him before as my doctor and he has responded increduously, "I am?" That's because my visits are probably too infreqquent and I am not a very good patient.

Today was my doctor's appointment--time for my annual physical. I was to have gone last October for a checkup but waited until now to get in to see him. I was smotivated by my twin brother's recent recent physical challenges to get the blood work in, and to see the doctor...my friend.

He greeted me with a smile and shared the results of my lab reports--almost all improved and overall encouraging. I asked him about a minor ache and reported my at home blood pressure--since my office blood pressure spikes at the mere thought of seeing the doctor...my friend. Go figure.

He suggested a minor change in the plan of treatment and sent me home with a general "Well done." I have been watching my diet and exercsing--something all diabetics should do--and the results were rewarding.

I thought of Matthew's record of Jedsus' words, "The well don't need a doctor...it is the sick who need a doctor." I am convinced I need a doctor because I am prone to physical problems due to my genetics and general level of stress, notwithstanding my general self-care (though better now).

Jesus, the Great Physician, came for those who were spiritually sick and needy--I know that means me. When I follow His directions from the Word, and when I engage in the exercises of reading, praying and sharing, I can hear His gentle, "Well done". There have been times when His Word has exposed my spiriual ills and failures. Still, He always encourages me, and directs me in ways I can move forward in dealing with the illness of sin all of us have.

A day at the doctor's office turned out good for me this time. I want every day with Jesus to be the same experience. I want to hear Him say, "Well done, Dale..."

Casey Anthony Escapes Man's Judgment...

I was stunned to read this morning that Casey Anthony had been declared "not guilty" of first degree murder and a number of other related charges concerning the tragic death of her daughter.

I have listened off and on to summaries of the court proceedings and the testimony offered by a variety of witnesses--some experts, family members, psychologists, etc.--and felt the evidence was compellingly one-sided towards Casey's conviction. Her pathological trail--one her lawyers admitted to--only seemed to seal her doom.

Closing arguments were drawn by the prosecution to present a case without a certain cause of death or Casey's DNA on the victim that required only "common sense" for determination of guilt or innocence. The defense, on the other hand, rehearsed the various poitns of key evidence, casting the shadow of doubt on their validity...I guess?

In the end, I suppose, the phrase "beyonds a reasonable doubt" probably trumped the day for Casey. As a result, we will probably never know who killed her daughter, or, whether or not Casey was complicit in the dastardly deed--accidentally, or, on purpose. For now she is "innocent" and has escaped the punishment of the judicial system, which, in its most serious expression, could have been death.

Here is one thing of which I am certain. Casey knows the truth. She must live with the truth. She must sleep with the truth. She will die with the truth inescapably in her mind.

And one day, she will--as all of us-- stand before The Eternal Judge. His judgment, should she be guilty, she will not escape. For He knows the truth. The Bible says, "It is appointed unto man, once to die, and then the judgment."

VBS, Haiti, Malawi, and India...hot places to be

It has been a week of VBS outreach in our local community; about 150 children have signed up and participated in our 100 degree weather, choosing the comfort of air conditioning, kid's tunes, creative crafts, outdoor games, and an emphasis on knowing Jesus, the "rock of all ages" (I'm the one buried beneath the avaanche of45-50 4-6 graders).

While that's been going on here, we have been actively-involved in prayer for "our own" Luke and Becka Voight, missionaries leaving for hot Malawi to work with children and youth. Lyzee, their eigthteen month-old daughter,has been sick this week and they board a plane for an twenty-two hour trip on Monday--we are praying for them!

On Tuesday, I met for prayer with Mike, Ron, Jeff, Curt, Jason, Jeff and Mark--six dedicated young men from Grace--leaving for a week of work in 100 degree weather in Haiti. They will join our faithful pastor-friend there, Gilbert Jules, in helping to construct a roof over a school-church setting for 400-500 adults and chidlren, in a small town near Port au Prince. It is hot, wet and another outbreak of cholera has erupted recently, but they go with our blessing and with excitement about providing a place for the Hatians to be taught and to worship God!

Pastor Mark, Logan and Tom left yesterday on a fifteen hour flight for India where they will be teaching in a Bible Seminary for a week. (By the way, it is supposed to be over a 100 degrees there as well!) John Frances has heped with the construction and development of over 100 churches in the northern area of India and oversees the seminary. He is a true man of God. A student at the seminary, Solomon George, was killed last week in a tragic train accident, leaving a wife and two daughters behind. He was in training to pastor one of the churches we helped construct in India and so we are grieving for his family and praying for the onoging ministry there.

These are all hot spots--VBS, Malawi, Haiti, India...hot spots where the gospel is being preached and received with gladness. What a joy it is to serve God in the comfort of air conditioning... or not!

110 degrees and VBS

We've had a very cool spring and late-arriving summer...but it arrived with a vengeance--this week, blasting us with 100 plus degree weather...just in time for VBS!

My wife and I volunteeered to teach 4-6 graders and last Friday we were told to prepare for 15--Sunday evening for 31--Monday morning for 38--and by 2:00 p.m. yesterday (opening Monday) we had 46!!!

Dressed in blue jeans, wool socks, boots, handkerchief, long sleeved shirt, suspenders and a cowboy hat--borrowed froma friend--I tried to act the part of an 1850's miner searching for treasure. I lost about 3-4 pounds sweating from the excitement of it all, and was exhausted when I got home last night.

BUT...it was terrific! What a privilege to stand in front of forty-six 4-6 graders and identify for them certain true claims about Jesus--(1) Only Jesus is perfect (2) Only Jesus is God (3) Only Jesus can completely forgive sins (4) Only Jesus is the way to heaven. As we taught the children, these are rock-solid claims about Jesus that become a foundation for our faith. Of course, in recounting the search for gold nuggets in the California Gold Rush, we wanted the children to see greatest treasure to be discovered, is Jesus, our rock!

110 degrees and VBS...a marriage made in heaven! The church really was a "cool" place to be! Just ask the kids!

Ode to the ocean and grandchildren (not necessarily in that order)

I've returned from eight days at Pismo Beach, camped right near the ocean with all of its attendant morning fog and moisture. The sun peaked its head out for a short greeting most days--one day it was unsually bright and clear for eight hours!--enough to remind me why I love the ocean.

Though Pismo Beach is a typical beach town, Psimo Coastal Village where we camped with our rv is an incredible rv resort. Everything you need is at your fingertips--a store, an equipment rental center, a restaurant, a heated swimming pool, walking trails, easy access to the beach, etc. Though the camp sites are small, it is inordinately clean and more than tolerable because of the sound of the waves pounding the beach just over a nearby grassy berm.

The focal point of the trip was the graduation of our oldest granddaughter, Sage, from junior high school. It truly was the highlight of our week, though camping with grandkids was a close second. Sage was honored by her teachers for her excellent character; as they lauded her contribution as a student to the encouragement of other students, tears marked the faces of both grandma and grandpa, as well as her appropriately-proud dad who was sitting close by us.

Father's Day is Sunday. Congratulations to Tim, Chad, Jeff and TJ--my sons--who are all great dads. A critical part of their performance as dads is their unrelenting commitment to raising their chidlren in a Christian home with a solid biblical foundation. That, coupled with their unconditional love and faithful discipline, make me proud of not only them, but the product they are producing--our eleven wonderful grandchildren. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 describes how "impressing" our chidlren with the principles of God's Word in our daily life is a high priority for dads...and moms.

And, just as an postscript...thanks, dad (now gone for twenty-three years)--for being a faithful father to me. He loved the ocean, too!