Unitied in heart and mind

I’ll spare you the sports chatter this week except to say “Geaux Tigers! #1 is a nice place to be!  Those Longhorns didn’t look too bad this weekend either.  And yes, I know the A&M 12^th man, tradition wasn’t enough to defeat the Sooners.  

In 1922 when the Texas A&M team suffered so many injuries during the game that the coach sent to the stands for a “12^th man” to prepare to enter the game, he did not ask for a volunteer. He sent for a specific student, a student who had played on the team during the regular season, but had left the football field before the post season to play on basketball court.  While Gill never entered the game, he was called upon because he understood the game. He was with the team in both heart and mind.
When the church at Jerusalem heard that Gentiles had believed and turned to Christ they sent for a specific man, Barnabas.

“Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.”

“When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.”  Acts 11:19-24 NLT

What we’ve read of Barnabas in last few weeks suggest his selection was also because he understood the mission in both heart and mind.  He had proven he could be trusted with mission. The spreading of the gospel to the Gentiles was an essential event in fulfilling the mission given to the disciples by Jesus before his return to the Father.  “Go and make disciples of all the nations” Matthew 28

Ephesians, chapter 4, provides a perfect game plan for the continued mission of making disciples of everyone and reminds us that each of us is gifted for specific tasks.  Just as the 12^th man, we stand ready, desiring to support and willing to serve when called upon. 

Thanks for listening,

See you next Sunday,

Ronda

The 12^th Man

1.       Gives generously recognizing that all that he has is gift from God.

2.       Encourages others by accepting the work of the grace

3.       Understands the mission in heart & soul

4.       Enters the game willingly when called upon to serve

A Change of Heart

Best game of the day, Texas Tech Red Raiders 41, Oklahoma Sooners 38!  Oh yes, I loved it!  The Raiders may not be on my list of favorite teams but somewhere near the top of the list is anyone who beats OU!!  I will definitely be sporting my Kansas State attire next week.  Go Cats!!!  Let me see if I can offer some words of encouragement to my OU friends:  1) It wasn’t the Longhorns 2) it’s only one game – never mind it crushes the delusion that your beloved Sooners are the best in the nation!  I’m not finding the right words here, am I?  So do you think if I ditched by burnt orange for crimson, changed my ringtone from the “Eyes of Texas” and flew a Boomer Sooner flag, anyone would believe I had had a change of heart?    

There is no doubt that the conversion of Saul was a game changer for the mission of the early church, but it was a change of heart that faced raised some eyebrows. Even the disciples were not so sure he was for real.  Enter our 12^th man in a critical role.

“When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus. So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.” Acts 9:26-28 NLT

So how was Barnabas able to accept and lead others to accept the conversion of a man who was “uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers”?  (Acts 9:1) 

The story recorded in the verses above doesn’t provide a simple answer to the question.  We have no record of how Barnabas came to know of Saul’s story.  Had he heard him preach in Damascus? Had he heard from Ananias, the man sent to Saul after his conversion?  Who knows, but if we read ahead to the next mention of Barnabas in scripture, we may find a hint or two.  The setting is Antioch where Barnabas had been sent to check out a report of conversions among the Gentiles.

^“When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” Acts 11:23

However it happened that Barnabas came to know of Saul’s conversion, he saw what the grace of God had done!  While others were understandable focused on their fear of Saul, Barnabas saw what God had done and he was glad. True to his nickname, he encouraged others to see the same.  Barnabas’s actions facilitated a game changing play in the spreading of the gospel. In this short account of a seemingly small event, we see the beginning of relationships that prove essential to the mission.

What about you?  Are you willing to see and testify to what the grace of God has done?  Are you willing to accept the work of His grace in others?  Your actions could change the game for a team mate or even an opposer. (Yes, even a Boomer Sooner fan!)

Thanks for listening,

See you next Sunday,

Ronda

The 12^th Man

1.       Gives generously recognizing that all that he has is gift from God.

2.       Encourages others by accepting the work of the grace

What's in a name or a nickname?

The LSU Tigers remain rated #1 denying OU the spot the Sooner nation is convinced belongs to them.  The K State Wildcats remain undefeated after defeating a Texas team which makes my son-in-law extra happy! And yes, the Longhorn’s lost again. At least this week it was to the OK State Cowboys. You gotta love a 27 year old college quarterback! And I do live in Oklahoma after all.  As if that wasn’t enough victory for the weekend, the Rangers are headed to the World Series! Let’s go Rangers!

Before I get carried away, let's get back to the idea we kicked off last week. How can we serve as the 12th man? Ready to serve, desiring to support and inspiring the whole body.

My nephew, Joe, and his little
Ranger, Ian.

First, go ahead and admit it. When I said a man named Joseph last week, Barnabas is not who came to your mind.  I don’t think I had ever even noticed his real name. Men named Joseph, like my nephew have nicknames like Joey or Joe. (By the way, he maybe the Texas Ranger’s greatest fan. He even named his sons, Ian and Michael!)  So how did this man Joseph come to be called Barnabas by the apostles? 

We meet Barnabas at a critical time in the life of the early church. Jesus had returned to the Father, the Holy Spirit had come, and the fellowship was growing every day.  However, in chapter 4 just before our first encounter with our star player, Peter and John have been arrested and threatened with harsh punishment if they continue to speak of Jesus. We find the believers praying for courage and then we are introduced to Barnabas.

“All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.” Acts 4:32-36 NLT

I am curious what acts of service and support he had provided before this verse that earned him his nickname. However, in our brief introduction we find our first clue. He gave his resources to support the vision. His desire to support was put into action! Scripture is full of instructions on giving.  All the way back in Deuteronomy, we find the game plan for God’s people included generous giving.

“But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them.  Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. Do not be mean-spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year for canceling debts is close at hand. If you refuse to make the loan and the needy person cries out to the Lord, you will be considered guilty of sin.” 

This verse makes me think of some advice my father-in-law offered my husband.  It’s always better to be taken advantage of than to miss an opportunity to meet a real need.  His example reinforced his advice!

But let’s be honest, giving our hard-earned assets is not always easy. Back up to the beginning of our passage and I think we find some insight to Barnabas and the other believers’ attitude toward giving, “And they felt that what they owned was not their own…”  A principle echoed in 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, “For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.”

Like the Texas A&M student, Barnabas desired to support the disciples at a critical time in the mission. We see this evidenced first in his giving, but there is more to learn from this 12^th man, nicknamed Son of Encouragement.

So, what’s your nickname?

Thanks for listening,

See you next Sunday,

Ronda

The 12^th Man

1.       Gives generously recognizing that all that he has is gift from God.

Go, Team, Go!

Ginny & Gabe
Go Cats!

I love football!  I love Saturdays that begin with College Game Day and end with at least one of my favorite teams scoring a win. So despite, the fact the Texas Longhorns lost to OU yesterday it was a good day. The LSU Tigers won, keeping OU from a number one ranking! The Oklahoma State Cowboys won and the KS Wildcats upset Missouri. All in all a good day! There is nothing quite like the enthusiasm, passion and sometimes downright craziness of college football fans!

A few weeks ago one of my mentors referred to himself as the 12^th man at a banking affiliation meeting.  He is retired and often is called upon to draw on his experiences to serve and motivate those of us who wish we were retired!  His reference to the Texas A&M story of the 12^th man kicked off a chain of thoughts in my mind. It started with something like, isn’t it great to know I have people who stand ready to support and encourage me and quickly moved to am I being the 12th man?

If you’ve never read the story of E. King Gill, the Texas A&M student who began the tradition that now has millions of college students standing through games every Saturday I suggest you read the story on the A&M website. It is inspiring. 

The following is my favorite excerpt; “Gill later said, ‘I wish I could say that I went in and ran for the winning touchdown, but I did not. I simply stood by in case my team needed me.’ That spirit of readiness for service, desire to support, and enthusiasm helped kindle a flame of devotion among the entire student body; a spirit that has grown vigorously throughout the years. The entire student body at A&M is the Twelfth Man, and they stand during the entire game to show their support. The 12th Man is always in the stands waiting to be called upon if they are needed.”

Readiness for service, desire to support and enthusiasm to kindle a flame of devotion among the entire body - Sounds rather scriptural to me!

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Mark 10:45 NLT

 “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together … but encourage one another,”  Hebrews 10:24 &26 NLT

Over the next few weeks I want to explore how we act as a 12^th man for our team. One of the best examples from scripture is a man named Joseph.  Just as Gill was nicknamed the 12^th man by his team, Joseph was nicknamed, Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement” by the apostles.  He too was called to service at a critical time in the game. We’ll start there next week.

Are you ready to serve, support and encourage?

Thanks for listening,

See you next Sunday,

Ronda

Hook'em Horns!  (There's always next year!)

All to Jesus

As a child of five I made my initial commitment to Christ.  We had been playing church.  My nine year old brother was the preacher.  Something he said in his ‘sermon’ pricked my heart, and I knew I had sin in my life and needed forgiveness.  Later in the day I told Wiley about it and he led me in the sinner’s prayer.  I confessed my sin.  Jesus forgave me.  I received His forgiveness. From that day until this He has been with me. 

As a young adult I sought the Lord earnestly about raising my children, being the wife and mother that my family needed, teaching Sunday School and other functions in the church.  I knew that I did not know how to fulfill these roles, but I believed that God did.  Therefore, I sought God for help in all that he allowed me to participate in.

This is a little humorous story my daughter loves.  With four child of my own and many that were not, it was difficult to find a quiet place to hear from God in the daylight hours.  I had a habit of staying up after everyone else was asleep to meditate and listen for God’s direction.  One Saturday night it was getting late when direction came.  I began writing everything down, but I kept dropping off to sleep.  I would jerk back awake and continue writing.  When I finished, I went to bed without reading it over.  The next morning I was teaching my adult class in the auditorium when I stopped suddenly.  There in front of me on my paper was the word ‘enchiladas’.   I decided quickly to share with the class what I was looking at.  We all had a good laugh and continued our study.

Mary was very young when Gabriel made his visit with her, but she made an amazing commitment.  “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word’.   How was she able to make such a total consecration to the Lord?  Let’s go back and see what really happened in this encounter. 

First we see God the Father sending Gabriel to the chosen person, in the correct location, at the precise time in order to fulfill all the Old Testament prophecies concerning the birth of Christ.  These prophecies spanned thousands of years yet our all-knowing God covered them all.  He is the master weaver of lives.

Next the angel encountered Mary and frightened her somewhat. However, Gabriel came with a message of love and assurance of God’s presence with her.  Lo, I am with you always. (Matthew 28:20) Mary’s God, my God, your God is an ever-present God.  He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Joshua 1:5)  Mary knows that she has a God who loves her and is with her. 

After that, Gabriel gave Mary the assignment that God had chosen for her.  When she asked how this could possibly happen he reminded her of the all-powerful God who had been at work in the world for many generations.

Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55 gives us insight into her knowledge of God’s Word.  Many of the lines in her song were quotes from the Old Testament.  She begins by expressing how God, knowing she was not a significant individual, chose her and did mighty things for her.  Mary will be the mother of the Messiah; therefore, all generations will know her and call her blessed.  Instead of worrying about what people would say or do about her pregnancy she is praising God.   Mary could have been filled with fear at what lay ahead, would Joseph reject her, would he put her away privately, or would he have her stoned to death; instead she called what God had done for her mighty and blessed.   I believe Mary had confidence that her God would go before her and make the crooked places straight.

So, Mary‘s God knows everything, is personally present with his children and has power that is limitless.  How could she possibly think that her plan would be better?  She did not!  I hope that you will not.

These are some thoughts the Lord gave me recently. 

It is a foolish thing when God by His Spirit pricks your heart and you continue as though He had not prompted you.  Don’t you know that as long as the iniquity continues so does the affliction.

I challenge everyone who reads this to KNOW your God.  Study the Bible and see what God did through the ages.  Participate with God’s people and the work He is doing in their lives.  Remember what He has done and will do for you and yours.  Write it down.  Who knows He might ask you to write a book sometime.  Last but not least spend time with our great God in prayer.  Listen carefully before leaving the place of prayer and God will give you the answers you need. 

Thanks for listening to me.

Many Blessings,
Virginia

Many thanks to my mother for sharing things God has been speaking to her heart for many years.  I am so thankful God in his wisdom gave her to me or me to her, which ever way that works! Her words this week bring to my heart the words of hymn I've heard her sing and watched her live.

All to Jesus I surrender;
all to him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust him,
in his presence daily live.
All to Jesus I surrender;
humbly at his feet I bow,
worldly pleasures all forsaken;
take me, Jesus, take me now. 
All to Jesus I surrender;
make me, Savior, wholly thine;
fill me with thy love and power;
truly know that thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Lord, I give myself to thee;
fill me with thy love and power;
let thy blessing fall on me.

I surrender all, I surrender all,
all to thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

A Sailor with lots of stripes

Have you ever found yourself in an impossible situation and desperately needing a solution?  Most of us have.  The first time I found myself in such a dilemma, I was twelve years old at a bus station in Long Beach, California.  When we arrived about five or six AM mother only had a quarter left.  She bought my two sisters, my brother, and me a donut to eat, and then she was broke.  She received help from the Red Cross in contacting my uncles to let them know that we were there.  They had no idea we were coming.  We had left Texas quickly to avoid being taken from our mother and placed in an orphanage.  After making contact with my uncles who were in the navy there was nothing to do but wait.  We were still waiting at two PM.  We were hungry and frightened.  Mother was distraught.  She returned to the Red Cross office to ask if there was anything they could do.  They assured her the message had been sent and there was nothing else they could do.  When she returned to us she said to me,” What are we going to do?”  Was she asking me what to do or simply expressing her desperation?  Whatever she was doing, I thought she was asking me what to do.  I sat up straight and looked at all the people.  I don’t think I had ever seen that many people in one place before.  It was a little frightening.  I noticed there were a lot of navy men.  I told mother we were going to pick out a sailor with a lot of stripes on his sleeve and ask him to help us.  She said she would go with me.  I picked out the sailor that I thought had the most stripes and went over to him to ask for help.  I am sure I gave the sailor more information than was necessary but when I finished he assured me he could help.  He made a phone call and before long my uncles were there to get us.  Our needs were met.

When I left you last Mary had just been given an impossible assignment.  The angel had told her she would have a son whom she was to Jesus.  He said her son would be great and would be called the Son of the Most High; that God would give him the throne of his father David which he would reign forever, and that his kingdom would never end. That was too much for most of us to absorb.  Mary only had one question, “How can this be since I am a virgin?”  Since Mary was a virgin and intended to remain so until her marriage to Joseph, it would be impossible for her to conceive a child.  Mary must not have known about Isaiah’s prophecy in 7:14.  Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel, God wit us.  (It was the only way for mankind to be set free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2-3) The angel did not rebuke Mary for her question but gave her an answer and an encouraging example. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.  And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.  For with God nothing shall be impossible.  Luke 1: 35-37

The same Spirit that was present at creation came upon Mary and the same power that overshadowed Moses and the Children of Israel during their travels would overshadow Mary to bring about the impossible.  Elisabeth, who was too old to be having a baby, is in her sixth month. 

This reminds me of a little song we used to sing:          

             

Nothing is too difficult for Thee                       

Nothing is too difficult for Thee                       

Great and mighty God                        

Great in power                       

Mighty in deed                       

Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing                       

Nothing is too difficult for thee.

One more thing I want you to know about the sailor with lots of stripes.  He was the captain on the ship my uncles was stationed on.  Although I was not aware of it then, I am confident now this was one occasion when the power of the Most High overshadowed a little girl giving guidance and direction in what seemed like an impossible situation.

Many Blessings,

Virginia

These stories blow my mind sometimes, but they are wonderful insights into my mother's incredible trust in the Most High. I am so blessed to have shared the shadow that has overpowered her life. What encouragement to see what God can do!

Ronda

Favor prepares our hearts for service

“You are highly favored.  The Lord is with you,” were the first words spoken to Mary by the angel, Gabriel.  However, in the very next verse Mary is given an awesome task.  She is to birth the Son of God!  Although responsibility most always follows favor; favor prepares our hearts for service.  I John 4:14 says,” We love Him because He first loved us.” 

In Genesis 6:8 we read that Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Then in verses 13-16 Noah is commissioned to build an ark for the saving of his family.  I love what is says in verse 22, “Noah did everything just as God commanded him to.”  Walking in favor creates a natural desire to please or serve.

In chapters 37, 39, and 41 of Genesis we read where Joseph finds favor with four main characters in his life; his dad, his master, his captor, and his king.  Each time he was given a specific task or responsibility.  Each time Joseph serves wholeheartedly and was successful.  It is not hard to serve when it follows favor.

Luke 1:30 – 33

And the angel said unto her, “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall   call his name Jesus.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He     shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. 

WOW! What an assignment.  Never in her wildest dreams could she have thought of this; to be the mother of the long awaited Messiah.  Later in the chapter Mary speaks of God being mindful of her humble state.  Mary knew she had done nothing to earn or deserve this privilege.  It was strictly the favor of God.

Ephesians 4:11 says:

It was God who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be  evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service

We do not all have the same assignment.   We do, however, all have an assignment and the requirement is obedience.  I have been privileged to serve the Lord for 40 plus years primarily through the role of teaching. I taught school for 15 years and retired in May of this year.  Truly the Lord has been mindful of my humble state.

My dad was the main person to teach me about favor.  I always knew he loved me and did what was in my best interest which included more than a few spankings.  However, when we were in California my twelfth year I did not have my daddy.  Everyday I played and seemed like a child without a worry or fear.  But at night the sorrow swept over me.  I lay very still and quiet until everyone was asleep so that I would not upset anyone.  Then I cried and prayed.  My prayer was, “God, I want my Daddy!”  I cried until there were no more tears.  When I got to the end of my tears somehow I knew that Jesus loved me and was with me.  Then I was able to go to sleep and face another day.  The next night would be the same.  We were in California for about two months.  I do not know if I had this experience every night but it was repeated many times.  I did not know the significance of this event at twelve.  Looking back I clearly see the favor of God resting upon me.  I never had the privilege of living in the house with my precious dad again, but my heavenly Father was always present protecting me and providing for me.  When I was not aware of His presence, He was there.  When I was disobedient, He was there.  When I was fearful, He was there.  He promised to never leave me nor forsake me.

In Junior High some of my teachers were talking about me one day at recess.  I overheard them say, “That poor little thing.  She doesn’t stand a chance.  What will become of her?”  I knew life was hard and not always lived right, but I had something they did not know about.  I knew God loved me and was with me.

I wanted to please my daddy when I was a little girl.  As an adult my goal is to please my heavenly Father.  Today I want to go where He leads, do what He commissions, and share what He whispers in my heart.

Many Blessings,

Virginia

When I was growing up my mother would always quote to me "to whom much is given, much is required".  While there were plenty of times I really didn't want to hear it!  I am so grateful for having been given much favor. It is encouraging to be reminded that knowing God's favor enables us to meet our responsiblities of service.

Thanks again, Mom & thanks again each of you for listening as mother shares her heart with us.

Ronda

Favor

My mother, her big brother & sister.
I think she still likes him!

When I was just a little girl my big brother was my hero.  I was sure he knew everything and could do anything.  Sometimes he would find a way to climb to a higher place in the tree we played in almost every day.  He would lead me to the higher spot telling me exactly what to hold on to and where to place my feet.  Other times he placed me on a high place and told me to jump into his waiting arms.  I never hesitated to jump or climb.  I had absolute confidence he knew what he was talking about and he was plenty strong enough to catch me.  I also knew that he loved me and risk hurting me.  You might say I was in his favor.

There was a couple in the church where I grew up who only had boys and they were teenagers.   They always wanted a little girl but it did not happen.  Occasionally they would invite me home with them for a Sunday afternoon.  It was always a wonderful day.  I was the focus of everyone’s attention.  The boys would show me the animals, the tractors and other types of equipment.  There was a swing in a tree and someone to push.  At lunch one Sunday,  Sister Rollins asks me if everybody loved me.  I immediately went through my family, church family, and school then concluded that everyone I knew loved me.  I knew what favor felt like.

As a girl of eleven life was not so innocent.  Our family was crumbling and life was hard, however, during this time God placed some key people along my path.  After I married I saw these people again and discovered that they had prayed for me from eleven until after my marriage.  I guess you could say I had found favor with God and man.

Favor - friendly or well-disposed regard; goodwill: to win the favor of the king; the state of being approved or held in regard

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.  And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. (Luke 1:28-30 KJV)

Mary, an ordinary girl from Galilee having found favor with the King, had a visit from an angel.  The greeting given by the angel was a little disconcerting.  What could the words mean?   This first statement of Gabriel was simply a greeting and a declaration of favor.   God was with Mary and she had been graciously approved as one whom God could use.  We are not given much information on Mary but we can glean some insight when we look at her reaction to the message of the angel.  In verse 33 Mary ask a question, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”  The next thing Mary did was listen to the answer that was given to her.  The next words she spoke were words of surrender to the will of God.  There was not a moment’s hesitation.  I suggest Mary believed that God loved her and trusted Him completely.  The angel sees Mary’s bewilderment and speaks calming words.  Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Just as I needed not fear jumping into the arms of my big brother, Mary did not need to fear birthing the Christ child.  There is no fear in favor!

Many Blessings,

Virginia

 

If you were to ask any of my brothers or I which child our mom most favors, we would all say, her oldest son, Michael. But we would be joking, if you cornered each one and asked for an honest answer, I suspect we might each say it was us. That's the thing about my mother, she not only knows favor she know how to show favor.  I think that's how God is. He has shown us all favor. The question is how do we respond? 

 

 

People, Places, Time and Circumstance

At a set time in the history of mankind the angel Gabriel was sent by God with an individualized message to a particular person in an exact place with a certain set of circumstances.

Johnny Hicks 1959

Ginny Perry 1960

In December of 1961 when other kids were looking forward to Christmas break, I checked out of school and told my principal I would not be returning. As a teacher myself now, I understand how educators feel when kids make poor choices, choices that will affect their education and future.  The expectation for these children is very low.  Who would have given much hope  to a fifteen year old girl and an eighteen year old boy having a successful marriage, one that would last fifty years?    

In April of 1958 my husband who lived in Louisiana turned 15.  His Dad was very ill most of that year and in October he died.  My husband stayed with an older sister and her family much of 1958 and 1959.

About a week before my twelfth birthday in May of 1958 a judge ruled that my two sisters, my little brother and I would taken to an orphanage when school was out.  Instead, my mother took us and ran away to California.  This was one of the darkest times of my life.  I needed my Daddy, but I did not know where he was and he did not know where I was.  We returned to Texas in August of that year.  My parents were divorced on December 26, 1958.

In 1959 a week after his sixteenth birthday, my husband’s Mother died.  The older three children tried to keep the younger five together but that was next to impossible.  Eventually, they all came to Waxahachie, Texas to the older brother’s home.  It was here that his sister-in-law Bonnie began to show him Christ.

In 1960 my husband turned 17 and I turned 14.  He continued to bounce back and forth between Georgia and Texas.  Then, my brother started dating his sister.  I met my husband for the first time.

In January of 1961 I was in a terrible car wreck.  It damaged my sight and I was not able to finish the school year.  My husband who had turned eighteen came back to Texas and dropped out of school.  In May, about the time I turned fifteen, he showed up where I was working.  We started dating.  December 29, 1961 we married.

My husband and I were kids who knew what a home was but did not have one anymore.  I saw strength (like my Daddy’s) in him.  He saw in me someone he could count on.  Even though it seemed far-fetched to the majority of people God saw an orphan boy from the piney woods of Louisiana and a little girl from a broken home in Central Texas that He could use to further His Kingdom and bring honor to the Father.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city in Galilee, named Nazareth,  to a virgin espoused to a man named Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. (Luke 1:26 & 27)

The timing for many events of our life is out of our control, but nothing is out of the control of our Heavenly Father.  Mary and certainly Joseph were not expecting a visit from the angel Gabriel in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy; however, God had the people, the circumstances, the time and the place percisely planned. Scripture says in Malachi 3:1 that a messenger would come and prepare the way for the Messiah.  John the Baptist was born six month before Jesus. Isaiah 7:14 tells us that the mother of the Messiah will be a virgin; Chapter 9: 6 & 7 tell about the Messiah ruling on the throne of David forever.  We read in Matthew 2:23 about Jesus coming from Nazareth to fulfill prophecy. Indeed, God always knows what He is doing!!

The first time my Daddy came to visit me after my marriage I was so excited for him to meet my new sister-in–law, Bonnie.  As soon as he met her tears came to his eyes, and he said that God had answered his prayer.  Christmas of 1960 in a time of great despair over his children my daddy cried unto the Lord and waited in his presence until an answer came.  God promised if he (my dad) would minister to the children and young people he came in contact with, then God himself would send someone to minister to his children.  Bonnie, my husband’s sister-in-law, and my sister and very best friend, has had more godly influence on both our lives than any other person we know.  What a faithful God we have!

Don’t you love to see the way God weaves lives together and orchestras the events for His glory and for our well being!

Many Blessings,

Virginia

The thing I love about reading my mother's story is to see how it connects and flows into my own. What about you? What particular people and places has God woven in your life? What circumstances has he used to color your story? How can you look back and see the perfection of His timing?  One of the great things about looking back is that it often makes it easier to look forward! 

Ronda

A Handmaiden of the Lord

As I've shared over the last several months, I have been blessed with many wonderful teachers and witnesses to the truth and none more precious to me than my mother!  I admire her unrelenting (sometimes downright stubborn) faith more than I can tell you. Over the next few weeks, I would like to share my mother with each of you as she writes of  truths she has learned and shared with me along our way.    

You will want to listen!

Ronda

My mother standing
in front of the church her
dad began in Glen Rose

My first memory as a child was at a Cottage Prayer Meeting.  I was about three.  My Dad had started an Assembly of God church in Glen Rose, Texas.  When we went to the prayer meeting Mother sat my older brother, my sister and me down at a specific place where we were to stay until the meeting was over.  No noise was allowed.  The only options that were available to us were to look or listen.  There were just a few people, but they knew how to get in touch with God for their needs.  As a child I was just listening.  I can still hear the sound of people interceding for others, and waiting in the presence of God, then the sound of praise and thanksgiving when the answer comes.    It was not loud; rather it was like a quiet hush that went up to the throne room of God as simple people of faith poured out their particular needs to their heavenly Father. God knew while I was yet in my Mother’s womb that I am an auditory learner and He allowed me to be present at such a meeting more than once.  What I took from there was the sound of earnest prayer, waiting on God, and rejoicing when the answer comes.  My life has taught me to interpret the meaning of those sounds.

Our family, during my parent's
first pastorate.

Years later I was a young pastor’s wife attending an early morning prayer meeting at the district minister’s retreat in Monroe, Louisiana.  This particular morning there was one preacher standing with his face to the wall and his posture said he was agonizing before God with a great need. There were pastors and their wives kneeling at the altars and pews all around the auditorium.  I was seated on a pew just absorbing the atmosphere; listening to the sounds of earnest prayer.  I felt as though I was seated in His presence.  Then from behind me I heard someone say, "The handmaid of the Lord.”  I immediately turned to see who had spoken, but no one was behind me.  I looked around and noticed that no one else had responded to the words.   I realized God had spoken to me.  It was a calling to a greater service and a preparation for what lay ahead.  My times are in your hands.  Psalms 31:15a

As I began to read Luke 1: 26-38 the Word began to leap from the page into my heart.  Then I began to write what the Lord was whispering in my heart.  Following is a summary of these whisperings.    

At a set time in the history of mankind the angel Gabriel was sent by God with an individualized message to a particular person in an exact place with a certain set of circumstances. He brought a declaration of favor, an assignment, and words of encouragement about the assignment.  

 In the next few weeks I want to share some of these truths with you. 

Many Blessings,

Virginia

I find it funny that my mother attaches her learning to sounds. When I was growing up, the one thing she couldn't stand was noise, particularly in the morning! (Mirror, Mirror on the wall!)  Although, she did describe "quiet" in both experiences, didn't she?  While she never told us to "shut up" - that was a curse word at our house - she could say "be quiet" firmer than anyone I know!

Occupy

Stephen & I in 1975. He wrote me
a song a played his guitar for me!

When Stephen was 8 years old he told his guitar teacher that Jesus would return before his 13 year old sister married.  A few months later he and his family were in Louisiana visiting and he and I were discussing names for our future children.  Teasing him, his mother reminded him about what he had told his teacher.  Thrown for only a moment, he shot back “Occupy”!  He had already caught his mother’s quickness with a scripture for everything!  “Occupy until I come” (Luke 19, KJV of course!)

Yes, you read that correctly we were naming children at 8 years old!  While we did not use any of those names 14 years later when our daughter was born, we have been occupying for 27 years as of this past May 26^th!

As I drove down memory lane around our anniversary, I thought of the 16 houses in 6 communities in 3 states we have occupied.  One of things I noted was the difference in the ones we rented and the ones we owned.  Occupying a home you own is quite different than occupying one you do not. The ones we’ve owned always involved at least some changes in paint color, they often involved broken things to repair, and they all involved insurance to protect our investment and taxes to pay.   With ownership comes responsibility.

When financing or insuring a house, one of the risk factors is who occupies the property.  Is it unoccupied? Is it tenant occupied? Or is it owner occupied? Less risk is perceived when a property is owner occupied because the occupant has a vested interest in the condition of the house.  I recall being surprised, actually aggravated with our landlord when we moved out of one of the first apartments we occupied. I thought I had worked hard to leave things clean; primarily to make sure our deposit was returned!  But when the owner inspected the property, her idea of a clean oven and mine were not the same!    

So when Jesus told the parable of the talents in Luke 19, were the servants in story to be tenants or owners of the property he entrusted to them?  In Sunday school lessons about this parable, the thing I’ve most often heard relates to our stewardship of the material things God has provided.  And that’s a good lesson.  Indeed the New Living version reads, “invest this for me until I come.”  This application of the parable seems to speak more to a tenant, which is valid given that this world is not our permanent home and certainly material things are temporary.  However, I have to wonder if there is another lesson for us in this parable. Just before telling this parable, Jesus had reminded the crowd that had followed him to Zacchaeus’ home that he came to seek and to save those who are lost. In John 3:17 we are told that God sent his Son to occupy our world not to condemn it, but to save it.  He came as an owner. He had a vested interest. He had the responsibility of fixing what had been broken, protecting and redeeming that which belonged to him.  So are we tenants or owners of what he has entrusted to us?  I think when it comes to people, Jesus’ words and actions compel us to exercise the care of an owner.

This last week one the finest occupants of this world I have known found her permanent home in the presence of her King. Violet Helms was a woman who knew how to occupy until he came for her. In her obituary, after listing her surviving family members the following was printed, “and a host of others she considered her own”.  As a part of that host, I can testify that she did indeed care for each person as if they were her own.  She sought out the lost, repaired the broken and spurred others to good works. As both my father and her current pastor attested, her spurring often came in words of encouragement, but she also cared enough to say what you needed to hear even if it was tough. Thanks to these two men who are part of her host and the beautiful voices of her grandchildren, I left her service feeling encouraged to serve the Lord wholeheartedly.  I know that’s exactly what she would have wanted because that’s exactly how I always felt when I was in her presence.  



May 26, 1984 with Stephen's grandparents
and mine, Bro. & Sis. Helms. They truly took
me in as one of their own.



As my father said, 27 years ago when Stephen and I drove away from our wedding reception, “God help us”.  Help us to occupy your land with great care, considering each one as our own, always seeking the lost, repairing the broken and protecting those who belong to you.

Thanks for listening,

Ronda

“Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.”  I Peter 5:2&3

“Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.” I Thessalonians 5:14

Surprise

“What is so surprising about this?”  

This was Peter’s question to the astonished crowd who witnessed the healing of the lame beggar.  This favorite Sunday school story is found in Acts, chapter 3. Peter and John are going to the temple to pray when a lame man who begged at the temple gate everyday asked them for money. Peter and John look at him and then Peter says, we have no money, but we have Jesus and in his name you can walk.  Then, they help him to his feet and he begins walking and leaping and praising God. (I loved that line in the Sunday school song.) He then goes into the temple with them.  The congregation gathered there is “absolutely astounded” when they realize this is the beggar whom they’ve passed everyday on their way into the temple.  Seizing the opportunity, Peter says why are you so surprised and why are you staring at us as if we did this on our own?  Don’t you know, Peter wanted to say, what’s wrong with you people, didn’t you pay any attention to events of the last several months, and don’t you have a clue whose followers we are? In a way, he did. But he also told them, “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed.”  He told them this same Jesus came to be their Savior.

Peter might have been surprised himself that his sermon resulted in his arrest and that thousands of peopole became believers that day.  But then again, maybe not, Jesus had been surprising Peter from the time they met on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus had borrowed his boat, filled it with fish and them called him to follow him. (Another favorite Sunday school story found in Luke, chapter 5)

Sometimes I find myself responding like this astonished crowd, surprised by the power and goodness of God, surprised by his concern for the broken and the broke.  He answers a pray and a friend is healed, a relative is employed, a wayward child turns for home, or a difficult situation lightens up. And I asked myself, what is so surprising about this? Have you not paid attention?  I am reminded as Peter told the crowd and the Psalms so eloquently says, it is the name of the Lord that we find help, hope, direction and all that is needed for life.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
      but to your name goes all the glory
      for your unfailing love and faithfulness.  (Psalm 115:1)

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
      I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
      I will be with them in trouble.
      I will rescue and honor them. (Psalm 91:14-15)

The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
      for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. (Psalm 138:8)

Thanks be to God!

Thanks for listening

See you next Sunday,

Ronda

Twenty-four years ago this week I had the best surprise of my life; one of God’s “goodest” gifts to me. After nine months of anticipating giving birth to a baby boy, my almost 10 pound baby girl arrived. The first words her daddy said were, “a girl ?!” Less than an hour before she was born, the doctor was still saying, gotta be a boy. The “pencil test” had been saying boy consistently for months and the doctor was 95% sure I was carrying a boy.  Nevertheless, on May 21, 1987, we took our baby girl home to her blue nursery and little Dallas cowboy outfits. Luckily, my mother had a cut out a pink dress the week before “just in case” and Stephen’s grandmother finished it so Virginia Grace could come home in pretty pink, instead of Dallas Cowboy blue!  

She is evidence that God does indeed know what is best for me!

Virginia Grace,
Ready to go home in her pink dress
May 21, 1987