Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Baptism

My beautiful grandson, Jayden Troy Maurer, will be baptized this Sunday at his Dad's home church in Salem, IL.  My daughter's in-laws have graciously invited us to their home for dinner on Saturday evening.  I'm looking forward to this significant event in Jayden's life. 

To me, the baptism is a commitment on the part of Jayden's parents and all of us who will have a hand in his upbringing.  It's a reminder to live our lives in such a way that Jayden will see Jesus in us.  It's quite a responsibility!  It's a prelude to the day that Jayden will  decide that he, too, wants to surrender his life to Christ and follow after Him.

I hope that Jayden will be able to experience baptism anew once he makes that decision.  Even though my Dad had been baptized after he accepted Jesus as His Savior, he elected to be baptized again when he and Mom were in Israel.  At the age of 30 just before Jesus began His public ministry He was baptized by his cousin John.  You may remember how the Holy Spirit descended upon Him as a dove.  Dad wanted to be baptized in the Jordan River in approximately the same spot that Jesus had been baptized.  It was an amazing experience as Dad felt the Holy Spirit blaze through his body when he was lifted out of the murky waters.  I know that Mom and Dad would have supported Sarah and Troy's decision to have their son baptized in Troy's home church.  They would have glowed with pride! 

As I watch my 2 year old grandson, Kristopher growing in his young faith it amazes me that he will bow his head and reach out to hold hands as we bless the food before we eat.  It brings me joy to see him lift his hands in praise while we are singing.  He loves it when his Mom or I read events from the Bible to him.  At just 2 years old he is already learning and growing in his faith!  Teaching children is an awesome responsibility but we also need to remember that some of our best lessons come to us through the children in our lives.  We have so much to learn much from them!

Some friends of mine are coping with the after effects of an accident that nearly took their oldest daughter's life.  God spared her life but for now she is now bound to a wheelchair, struggling to learn to use her muscles, to hold her head up, to eat, and even to talk.  All of us who know them (and many who do not know them) are lifting this believing family up in prayer.  In a Caring Bridge post tonight, her mom talked about the faith their youngest daughter has.  She knows her sister will be healed.  Oh that we all could have faith as that of a child!

Luke 18:15-17 (The Message)
People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. "Let these children alone. Don't get between them and me. These children are the kingdom's pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in."

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Thanksgiving

I know it's been a long time since I've posted here.  I have to admit I've been struggling lately.  Not outwardly but inwardly.  Not spiritually but emotionally.  Sometimes I think it's because I'm just way too busy.  Other times I think maybe I'm staying so busy because I don't want to stop and think. 

Even though I really do miss Mom & Dad with every fiber of my being, I am thankful that they were my Mom & Dad.  I can't imagine what my life would have been like without them.  I am grateful for all that they taught me.  I am grateful to have known two such beautiful people so intimately.  My mother was the most gentle person I've ever known.  She exuded grace and hospitality.  My father was so warm and friendly.  Together they lived God's love for others.

I pray I can show God's love to others.  I pray God will use me in even a fraction of the way He used them.  I pray for grace to be forgiving.  I pray that I will get back to writing soon.  I have missed reading through their notes and studies although I haven't been able to bring myself to do that for a while.  Please pray for my strength.  I am grateful for each one of you!

Ephesians 1:15-17 (The Message)

That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Prayer is Bridge

In a notebook with hand-drawn lettering on the front declaring "School of Divine Healing" that apparently both Mom & Dad were working on together, the following page was at the very front:

PRAYER DOES NOT CHANGE GOD'S WILL

IT ACTIVATES GOD'S WILL ON EARTH

PRAYER IS THE CONDUIT THROUGH WHICH POWER FROM HEAVEN IS BROUGHT TO EARTH

IT IS NOT THAT GOD CAN'T RELEASE HIS PROVISION WITHOUT PRAYER, IT'S THAT HE WON'T.

James 4:2b (New International Version)
"You do not have because you do not ask God"

It is God's sovereign will that He has established prayer as the bridge between the spirit world - "Where His Word is settled forever" (Psalm 89:2) and where the promises of God are already "Yes" in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:19-20) - and the material world.  Because of sin, there is a gap between what God has prepared and is ready to release and what is happening on earth.

PRAYER BRIDGES THAT GAP!

At the bottom Dad had drawn a little diagram with 2 circles.  One was marked "Earth Needs" and the other said "God's Will Waiting to be Released by Prayer".  Between the 2 circles Dad had drawn a bridge and wrote "Prayer Builds Bridge; Fills the Gap". 

I have a lot of gaps to fill!  I definitely need to be spending a lot more time on my knees.  I know it is time well spent!


Psalm 106:23 (The Message)
Fed up, God decided to get rid of them—
      and except for Moses, his chosen, he would have.
   But Moses stood in the gap and deflected God's anger,
      prevented it from destroying them utterly.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Birthday

I was blessed to have another birthday this week.  As I look back on this past year, so much has changed in my life!  My dear grandmother died after a wonderful, full 96 years of living on this earth.  My parents were killed on the day after Easter.  My daughter and her husband gave me a beautiful grandson.  (I just wish they lived a bit closer.  I don't get enough "Nana" time with him.)  My other daughter gave me a gorgeous granddaughter.  So many changes and those are just the highlights! 

All of kids and grand kids came over today to wish me happy birthday.  I love having them all here!  I just wish we could hang out together more often.  It really drove home to me how short time is. 

Last year I visited Mom & Dad around my birthday and Mom made me two (count 'em - 2!) lemon meringue pies!  My favorite and Mom made the best lemon pies ever!  More importantly, we had a wonderful visit.  Mom loved having her children and grandchildren come to visit.  Now I wish I had visited them more often.  Like all of you, I cannot go back and do things differently.  I can only change what I do from this day forward.

We all have the same amount of time every day.  1,440 minutes per day each and every day.  What am I doing with the time God is giving me?  In my Bible study this afternoon we talked about the importance of growing our relationship with God.  The only way to do that is with time.  Time spent in prayer and in His Word. 

Time is the most precious commodity that we are given.  Yet, ironically time means nothing to God.  Blink and our time here on earth is over.  Am I using my time in obedience to God? 

I Corinthians 7:29-31 (The Message)
I do want to point out, friends, that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don't complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple —in marriage, grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things—your daily routines of shopping, and so on. Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Novella

Novella was my Mom's mothers middle name.  Gram died a year ago this December at the tender age of 96.  When my youngest daughter found out she was pregnant, she just knew it was a girl from the get go.  She decided she would name her after her great-grandmother.  She chose Gram's middle name and the middle name of her grandmother on her Dad's side, Rae.  Novella Rae.  After her Granny and Granddad were killed she knew she had to add her Granny's middle name as well. 

I know it's a mouthful, but Novella Rae Loetta was born last Saturday evening when I was supposed to be at my oldest daughter's birthday party.  Novella had other plans for her Nana.  Although she was 2 weeks ahead of schedule, she still weighed in at 6 lbs, 6 oz!  She is breathtakingly beautiful and perfect - at least to her Nana anyway.  I'm sure if you met her you would agree!  God has blessed me with another grandchild this year!

I was with my daughter through her labor.  During the toughest part (without an epidural!) Stacie kept asking me to pray (actually, yelling at me would be a more accurate description but those of you who have been through childbirth will understand).  As I was praying for what seemed like hours upon hours, I suddenly felt the presence of my Mom.  I could see her so clearly in my mind.  It was the first time since she was killed that I felt her with me.

Every time I cradle little Novella in my arms, I think of Mom.  When Jayden was born just 8 short weeks ago I was truly on an emotional roller coaster.  I was elated that Sarah and Troy had a beautiful perfect baby boy but on the other hand I thought it wasn't fair that Mom would never get to hold him.  With the birth of Novella, I feel a peace about that.  I feel that in a way Mom and Dad are here.  Their legacy will live on in the lives of all those they touched while they were living and those they never got to meet in this life.


Psalm 22:30-31 (The Message)
Our children and their children
      will get in on this
   As the word is passed along
      from parent to child.
   Babies not yet conceived
      will hear the good news—
      that God does what he says.