Sunday's Coming!

                                             Blog »    Sunday's Coming! 
                                       
                                         Friday, May 9, 2014 

 

 

 

 

 

“ I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois 
and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also”
2 Timothy 1:5 

Being a mom can be a huge guilt trip.  Children have a mind of their own (surprise, surprise!)!  Most shockingly, they have the nerve to turn out differently to how we’ve planned them to turn out!    

A mom can do everything right, yet her child may end up “departing from the way (s)he should go”.  

Yet there is one way that no mom can fail.   It is to choose, however imperfectly, to be a Lois or a Eunice.   I have no idea whether or not Timothy had any siblings.   I don’t know about his dad (although a lack of mention might mean that faith skipped a generation).    Yet this one thing we do know;   the same faith that lived in his grandmother and then in his mother came to live in Timothy.   

Every mom, every dad, at any point in their lives, realizing it is never too late, can enter into a real and trusting relationship with God through Jesus Christ.   When faith is real, it can be rejected, ridiculed, or ignored by others, including family, but it cannot be dismissed.   A Real God  alive in a real relationship  with a real person cannot help but be a “good infection” that gets “caught” by someone else.  

But what of the unbelieving children every believing mom wants so desperately to see come to faith?  Years ago I went to convent for a retreat and ate lunch each day with the nuns.   In one conversation I mentioned how I knew some missionaries who went to foreign lands to bring Christ to their country.   I’ll never forget the nuns’ response.   They told me they when they send missionaries they believe that Christ is already at work in those lands before the missionaries ever get there.   The missionaries simply go to join Jesus in the work he already doing.  I got some pretty good teaching that day, a teaching I believe to this day.     

Moms,  this one thing you can do.   Pursue a real relationship with the real God.   As it God becomes ever more real to you, He will inevitably become more and more real to others, regardless whatever responses to your faith you perceive from others.   Second, you can trust that regardless of what you see your children doing or believing, you can know and trust that Jesus is at work in their lives.   Indeed He has gone ahead of you and will  never stop seeking to break into your children’s lives.   Remember that when you see “cracks” in the lives of your children, it is through those very same cracks that the light has room to enter.    

“Lord, thank you for Lois and Eunice who received, lived, and kept the faith.  Help me, Lord, to make it my daily habit to talk to you, read your Word regularly, listen for your direction, and with your help, to obey.   Thank you Lord, Amen”

 

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She's Simply the Best

 

  Blog »    She's Simply the Best

      Thursday, May 8, 2014

Below is the Epilogue to the Book of Proverbs.   I have concluded that it describes my wife, Kathy.  In marrying Kathy, I hit the jackpot.  Here’s why.    

“ A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

Kathy’s character exceeds mine in a thousand ways. I am, however worth more than she in one way. There’s more life insurance on me.

 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

Total confidence in her!  She is completely loyal and her value to me is beyond what words can express. I trust Kathy completely.

 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

          Even when I don’t like what she tells me, it’s always and only for my best. . . .
         She loves me.

 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

She selects her wool already woven at Kohls and with eager hands she does other stuff like cooking and gardening.

 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

Okay, so Giant isn’t that far.  However because she considers her family so special to her, she drives all the way up to Shady Maple for fresh and varied produce, including their special fruit breads for me.

 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

Kathy has never had a servant girl!  (Hear that Sarah!).   And yes, except for three days of the week Kathy’s up before I am, starting her day, mostly reading her bible, reading God Calling, and preparing to serve and meet her family’s needs.  And yes, she also does Pilates.

 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

Actually Kathy did the choosing and purchasing of the home we live in!  She decorated it.  Anything beautiful about our home inside or out is her doing.    And yes they are her earnings.  She doesn’t make enough for having had to live with me for 27 years and to have been a mother for  (do you actually think I’m going to tell you how many?) straight years  (yes, I know how many but I’m not telling).

 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

Kathy plants and harvests the garden all by herself.   She has strength and stamina that exceeds mine. 

 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

This is true.  Kathy knows how to exchange dollars for goods far better than I do.   And yes, her lamp doesn’t go out at night.   Oh how many nights I wish that it did, however.

 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

What’s a distaff?   If it means a big stick, yes she does wield that.   And yes, she sews too!

 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

Kathy’s heart is big and she’s light years ahead of me in caring for others.

 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

Okay, she’s not too good at this one, but she always says, “put on some gloves, Get a warmer coat”.   It’s irritating.

 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Yep, and I have to make the bed every single morning (15 items, no kidding!)   That’s every . . .  single . . . . morning!   And yes she absolutely  dazzles in linen and purple!

 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

I’m like everyone else, respected by some, not so much by others, but Kathy, she gives me an unfailing respect that I have neither earned or deserved.   That’s a really, really big gift.

 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

Well, she does supply the merchants all right, but with dollars, not sashes.   Money, sashes . . . same thing.

 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

Nothing is more true of Kathy than this one.  She is a woman of strong character and grace.   And yes she is clothed with dignity.   And, wonderfully, she fills our home with laughter.   Kathy laughs and it is she who brings joy to our home.

 
 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Kathy’s wisdom is way too often unappreciated.  When she’s away or leaves me to my own whims and desires, I’m in big trouble.   Life is so much better when I heed her wisdom.  Kathy is indeed wise.  Irritating?  Yes!   Wonderful?  Yes!  Especially when I actually listen to her.

 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

More truth!  She’s does all the finances, bills, and basically keeps us solvent.   She is never idle except when she falls asleep at every . . . single . . . movie . . . we  . . . ever, . . .  watch!   But that’s only because she is not an idle woman!

 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

One of the most fun things I experience in my entire life is watching how every one of her children in one way or another never fail to “rise up and call here blessed”.   I love how her children love and respect their mom. 

 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."   Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

I don’t care if it’s deceptive, I love it when she turns on the charm!    As far as fleeting beauty, well I haven’t seen that happening!  I have a sizzling wife!  And a beautiful one!  Yet, the absolute best thing is her love of God and her love of family.   Her faith is real, in fact God is the lifeblood of her life.   Now that’s attractive!

 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
                                                                                     Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV)

 

“Lord, verse 31 is my prayer for my wife for Mother’s Day and for every day.   Give her indeed the reward she has earned and may her works bring her the kind of praise that the heart of a wife and mother yearns to receive.  And Lord help me find the ways you have chosen me to be a bringer of at least some of those rewards.  Amen”

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I want to be like Mommy!

Wednesday, May 7, 2014    Blog »      I want to be like Mommy!      "Train a child in the way (she) should go, and when (she) is old (she) will not turn from it” Proverbs 22:6 “Lord, thank you so much for the gift of children who, at first at least, innocently want to model their parents.   Yet that is so frightening.  Help me Lord to grow in the process of becoming the kind of person you would want my children to model.  Thank you Lord.   Amen” Comment     For more:   follow on Twitter @jefflampl

To You Who Bring Small Children to Church

Blog »    To You Who Bring
 
Small Children to Church  

Tuesday, May 6, 2014 

 

 

 

      “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the
                                        kingdom of heaven.”     Matthew 19:14  

“There you are sitting in worship or Bible study. Your child, or toddler, is restless. Perhaps they’re even a little boisterous. You try to silence them, and nothing. You try to pacify them with food or toys, and nothing. Eventually, you resort to the last thing you wanted to do: you pick them up, and before a watching audience, you make the march out of the auditorium. All the while, you’re a little embarrassed. Maybe you’re a little frustrated too. You might even think to yourself, “There’s no point in coming to church. I get nothing out of it because I have to constantly care for my kid.”  

I want you — you mothers and/or fathers — to know just how encouraging you are to so many.  

The little elderly woman who often feels alone beams with a smile at the sight of you wrestling with your little one. She’s been there before. She knows how hard it can be, but she smiles because to hear that brings back precious memories. To see young parents and their small children brighten her day, and she may have just received bad news this week about her health, but seeing the vitality of young ones removes — if but for a moment — her fears.  

The older man who always seems to be grouchy notices you too. He’s always talking about how children in this day have no respect or sense of good. But, he sees you — a young family — in church, and you don’t miss any gathering. Like clockwork, he can depend on the sight of you and your young family. You give him hope that maybe the church isn’t doomed after all, because there are still young parents who love God enough to bring their restless children to worship.  

Then there’s everybody else. Some people will honestly become frustrated by noisy children in church. They have this crazy idea that reverence includes absolute silence. It doesn’t. When parents brought their children to Jesus, the disciples rebuked them (Matt. 19.13-15), but Jesus rebuked His disciples. He said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” The term translated “children” in Matthew and Mark is paidon. The root of the word “pedagogue” is from this word. It defined children of either an infant state, or more particularly, it was with reference to those who were half-grown and could be either males or females.  

When Luke wrote his account of this narrative, he used the word brephos; which means “infants.” Luke wasn’t contradicting Matthew and Mark’s account, because Luke wrote that they brought the infants “also” (Luke 18.15-17). They would have squirmed, maybe even cried. This was likely why the disciples rebuked the parents; as well as that they might have thought that the children were too young to understand the blessing Christ pronounced over them.  

Bring your children to church. If you don’t hear crying, the church is dying. As hard as it might be for you as a parent who’s half-asleep, keep on doing what you’re doing. You are an encouragement, and you’re starting off your children’s lives as you should”                   (This article was found at http://veritasvenator.com)

 

“Lord, raising my children to know You is the most important job I will ever do.  Help me Lord to persevere in that calling, regardless of the past, regardless of the difficulty, regardless of my failures and inadequacies.  Every day is a chance to start anew.  With your help I will,  with words, with my presence, by offering help, and through prayer (re)enter my calling to share my faith with my family.  Amen”

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I Like Giving

   Blog »    I Like Giving  

Monday, May 5, 2014

 

 

Another inspiring story about generous living, this time from the CLC family.    If you would like to share your own story of generous living just send it to info@clcfamily.net. God is great!   Jeff  

                                                             I Like the Unexpected Encounter

“I had a morning appointment at a shop in the Jennersville Shopping Center.  As I entered the store, I noticed a young man milling around out front. When I entered the shop, I heard two women behind the counter say that they had seen this young man outside very early in the morning when they opened the store and didn’t know who he was. The young man had been there for several hours.  After my appointment, when I was leaving the shop, a PA State Trooper had pulled up in front.  A woman from the shop was trying to talk to the young man, who apparently spoke Spanish.  The Trooper tried to speak with him asking him his name, where he was from, why was he there and did he need help. I gathered that someone had dropped him off very early, and he didn’t know where he was.  As I headed across the parking lot to my truck to return home, I heard a voice inside me  say “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers . . . . ”  I stopped, reached into my pocket, saw I had a $20.00 bill, turned around, and headed to the Trooper, the woman, and the young Mexican man still sitting on the concrete.  As I approached them, the Trooper turned and looked at me.  I said to him, “Please make sure this young man gets something to eat today” and handed the Trooper the $20 bill.  The Trooper said he would and then asked me if I knew him.  I said “no”.  The Trooper turned, showed the young man the $20.00 bill, then pointed at me and said “This man just gave me $20 to get you something to eat”.   I can still remember the young man lifting his head to look me in the eye.  And in a heavy Spanish accent he said “Thank you.”  I said “you’re welcome.”  The woman just stared at me trying to process what just happened.  Then the Trooper turned and also said thank you and that he’d take care of the young man.  With that, I headed home recognizing that God had put me where I was at that moment so I could better understand Matthew 25”     Tom Kerr  

Do you have an “I Like Giving” story to share?   Just sent it to info@clcfamily.net  and we’ll share it with others!  

“Lord, Jesus told us to enter into the needs of others.  As Father Son and Holy Spirit you are a continual flow of joyful giving and receiving, receiving and giving.  Lord help me to be alert to those times when I can serendipitously enter the joy of that flow also.  Amen”  
 

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How does my life today impact my life in the resurrection?

    Blog »   
How does my life today impact
my life in the resurrection?
Reflections on 1 Corinthians 15

Friday, May 2, 2014 

“With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends,
stand your ground. And don't hold back.
Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, 
confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort”
1 Corinthians 15:58 (MSG)  

(Read the entire Chapter   https://www.bible.com/bible/37/1co.15.ceb)  

 

This passage tells me one HUGE thing.   NOTHING that I do for the Lord is ever, ever wasted!!!!!!   

It tells me that how I live today impacts the kind of life I will have in my next life.   If I have lived for myself, that doesn’t transfer.  What I have done and thought and tried today which is in some way, shape or form done, tried and thought with the Lord in mind . .  . . that does transfer.   Even all those things that were done poorly, yet in service to the Lord, those things, too, are among the “seeds” out of which your new self will grow.   

This passage tells me yet more.    

It tells me that the new heavens and new earth, when merged as God’s New World where God dwells with resurrected believers who will be reigning with him, . . . . . . this new world is being constructed right now out of the raw material of everything that believers do on his behalf.    Every act of generosity, service and kindness, every bit of art or craftsmanship done for the glory of God, every act of compassion, every effort toward the making of a just society, all of these things are not only previews of the world to come, they are also the raw material out of which the new world will be built.   You will be delighted to recognize each and every thing you do for the Lord preserved and enhanced in God’s New World.  

Nothing you do for Lord will be wasted.    

Can you think of a way that knowing this might alter how you spend your days?  

“Lord, 1 Corinthians 15:58 is great verse for a believer to adopt as his or her ‘life verse’.   Lord help me to do today that which will not be wasted,  to do that which I will one day be delighted to see having been preserved in the World to come, the most real of all worlds, the one for which each believer is destined.  Amen"

 

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My life after the grave depends on my life before the grave

Blog »   
My life after the grave
depends on my life before the grave 

Reflections on 1 Corinthians 15
Thursday, May 1, 2014 

“But let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I'll probably never fully understand. We're not all going to die—but we are all going to be changed.  You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it's over. On signal from that trumpet from heaven, the dead will be up and out of their graves, beyond the reach of death, never to die again. At the same moment and in the same way, we'll all be changed.  In the resurrection scheme of things, this has to happen: everything perishable taken off the shelves and replaced by the imperishable, this mortal replaced by the immortal.  Then the saying will come true:                 Death swallowed by triumphant Life!  
                 Who got the last word, oh, Death?
                 Oh, Death, who's afraid of you now? 
It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power.  But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!
                                         1 Corinthians 15:51-57 (MSG)  

This passage tells me that
 . . . . . . . . . just as Moses came down from the mountain at the blast of a trumpet, when Jesus returns believers will resurrected with their brand new bodies and death will be no more.   
. . . . . . . . . . with my being re-clothed with a new body I will also be changed, not just physically but changed in some way that has both a  continuity with who I am now and also discontinuity.   I’ll still be me but a much improved and better me, a me that will have grown out of the kind of me I had begun to become in this life.
 . . . . . . . . . . Guilt?  Gone!   Sin?  Gone!  Death!  No more!  

What did this passage teach you? (Read the entire Chapter   https://www.bible.com/bible/37/1co.15.ceb)
 

“Lord, Wow!   The old saying, ‘if it sounds too good to be true, that’s because it is” turns out to be nothing more than the cynic’s cry, the self medicating comfort sought by those who refuse you.   Lord, thank you for giving me a vision of life which is not only beyond all imagining, but is, albeit in limited form, available to me NOW!  Amen

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