Call Back

 

Years ago, when I was a very young pastor’s wife in Indiana, a dear “older” friend gave me this beautiful poem. She impressed on me the importance of always looking for ways to encourage those God brought into my life...family, friend, strangers in the store, neighbors. Sometimes it was a very quiet, unassuming person who was trying to hide difficult circumstances from others; or church members who were discouraged.

This dear lady did not know that I would be the one also who needed to “call back” to someone else to help me “along the stony track,” “through the storm, thunder, earthquake” that shook my life, when others faces “glowed with triumph” in their race.

The author is unknown, and it was probably written years ago...but so relevant today. It always brings tears to my eyes because I think of those dear friends who were there when I needed to “call back” for reassurance that I was on the right path. That my dear Heavenly Father was listening to my prayers.

"If you have gone a little way ahead of me, 'Call back'~

It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track;

And if, perchance, Faith's light is dim, because the oil is low,

Your call will guide my lagging course as wearily I go.

Call back and tell me that He went with you into the storm;

Call back and say He kept you when the forest's roots were torn,

That when the Heavens thunder and the earthquake shook the hill,

He bore you up and held you where the very air was still.

Oh friend, call back. And tell me for I cannot see your face.

They say it glows with triumph and your feet bound in the race.

But there are mists between us and my spirit eyes are dim,

And I cannot see the glory, though I long for word of Him.

But if you'll say He heard you when your prayer was but a cry,

And if you'll say He saw you through the night's sin-darkened sky...

If you have gone a little way ahead, oh friend, call back.

It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track."

If right now you are on that stony track when you feel your very roots are being torn up, I have been there. But our Heavenly Father not only gives us His Word to speak to us through precious promises, His Holy Spirit for comfort, the Lord Jesus who says: “Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden,” BUT He provides us with dear Christian friends who are now feeling the glow of “triumph” on their faces. They know the stony path and can attest to God’s faithfulness. Don’t be afraid to seek for such a dear friend.

If you are in that “glow of triumph,” look for those who need your “call back” to help them. They are right in your home, at your store, at your church. Take the time to “call back” to those who need your testimony of God’s grace in your life.  

--Maylou Holladay

Good and Perfect Timing

 

When our children were young, we had an elementary reader with a wonderful story about a missionary pilot’s adventure in snow country. Happily, we had been blessed to hear the story from the missionary himself, at our dining room table, only a couple of years prior. Garland Cofield, supported by Grace Baptist Church, was for many years a missionary in Canada. He flew a small plane in order to reach people over vast areas of the country.

On an occasion when he was flying with one other man, they were forced by a snowstorm to land the plane in “nowhere.” Seeing a light in the distance, they walked to a small cabin, wherein they found a woman past 90 years of age. In their conversation, she told them she had been praying since she was a young girl that God would send someone to tell her about Himself. Chance? Coincidence? Happenstance? Not on your eternal life! Of course they were able to provide just what she needed and she responded appropriately.

This wonderful account gives rise to several questions, most beginning with, “Why…” Sometimes our “whys” may come from a critical perspective. Why did the woman have to wait until she was nearly at the end of her life to know Jesus? Why was a near disaster needed in order to bring the Word to her? In other words, why didn’t God do things differently and better, the way we might have done them?

If we absolutely trusted God with awe, we might ask the questions from the opposite perspective. Why did God bless this woman with the knowledge of Himself, in human understanding, “just in time?” Why did He honor Garland and friend with the privilege of leading this woman to Himself? Why did he show such grace and kindness to everyone in this thrilling scenario?

He tells us that He is the one who sends every good and perfect gift. Maybe, instead of evaluating every gift to see if it is “good and perfect,” we might just go ahead and regard those same gifts as good and perfect simply because they came from God. But the real point of my wondering is answered in 2 Peter 3:8-9.

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (NIV)

God is in charge of time and he does not regard time the same way we do, as evidenced by this kind of event. Sometimes we rejoice with awe at God’s timing. But often we fidget, stress or grumble at that same God’s timing. The Source of both the gifts and their timing is more eternally significant than the fickle attitude of the recipients or observers.

I’m talking to a specific person here. You, with your fingers on the keyboard, the one typing these words, listen up. The rest of you may listen in if you need to.

 

--Lynda Shenefield

The Necessity of Paul's Prayer in the 21st Century

 

When you pray for other believers, what do you pray? What is your heart’s desire for them? On Sunday evenings, a group of moms from our church is studying Colossians together. Paul wrote this letter from prison. We can piece together his connection to this church by looking at several verses in Acts and Colossians. It seems that while Paul was preaching and living in Ephesus during his third missionary journey, a man from Colossae named Epaphras heard and received the gospel and took it back to his hometown. Thus, a church was started in Colossae. Most likely, Paul never met these Colossian believers, but he heard about them from Epaphras who kept him informed about how the church was doing. And even despite not knowing them personally, they were on his heart. His letter to them is filled with words that contain deep emotion. Feel Paul’s care and concern in these verses from chapter 2:1-3: “I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to…” To what, Paul? What is your great desire for them? What do you want their hearts to be encouraged towards? Let’s read on…  “to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Let’s put this in our own words: Paul wants these believers’ hearts to be encouraged by the full assurance they can have in Christ and by believing that all knowledge is found in Him. Nothing outside of Him is needed. And the knowledge and wisdom that is bound up in Him can be a source of great treasure and riches in their lives. You see, there were many voices speaking into the Colossian believers’ ears. Paul spends significant time in this letter warning them not to listen to these false teachers who were telling them they could find wisdom and acceptance with God through means other than Christ. These men spoke of the necessity of keeping festivals and special days, visions, the worship of angels, and abstaining from certain foods and drink (2:16-21). In contrast, Paul drives home again and again the sufficiency of Christ for salvation and for wisdom (2:1-15; 3:1-4). He wants them to be wise – wise in the doctrine they know which he lays out in the first two chapters, and also wise in the way they live as a result of what they know, seen in especially practical ways in the last two chapters. The words wisdom, knowledge, and understanding show up a combined thirteen times throughout this four-chapter epistle.

Don’t we need this same wisdom today? Never before in history have there been so many platforms for people to let their voices be heard. Podcasts, cable news channels, social media posts, Twitter feeds, YouTube videos, and more. Everyone is wise in his or her own eyes. The problem is that wisdom does not originate in man; no one is wise in and of himself (or herself). The only one who is truly all-wise is God, and all wisdom must find its source in Him, or it is not wisdom (Romans 11:33; 16:27). We may feel that as believers we aren’t swayed by false teachers in our beliefs of salvation and major doctrines, but we must not deceive ourselves. Lies can easily creep into the church, and wisdom is needed to discern truth and error, especially when the error sounds good. God has given us truth in His Word; we must weigh everything we hear against what the Lord says. It is our responsibility as followers of God to study the Word, put ourselves under sound teaching of the Word, and to pray for wisdom which God promises to give (James 1:5). And thus, our hearts are encouraged to stand strong. We are not duped by the latest “Christian” teaching that sounds good but isn’t biblical. We are not like the double-minded woman who is tossed by the wind (or by the latest social media post or the angry voice on cable news), who is unstable in all her ways (James 1:6-8). No, our hearts are at rest and encouraged for we know where life-giving wisdom is found: in the One in whom our very lives are hidden, the One who is our life, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Col. 3:3-4). May we join Paul in this prayer for a full assurance of Christ’s sufficiency and the wisdom found in Him, not only for ourselves, but also for our brothers and sisters in the family of God.

--Amy O'Rear

Balancing the Soul and the Belly

 

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits . . .” and here’s where I have to stop and think. This is a passage I’ve been reviewing the past several weeks—on my way to school, washing my hair, waiting to fall asleep. I always want to say next “Who heals all your diseases,” but that’s not what comes next.

The next verse begins “Who forgives all your iniquities.” Then, it’s “Who heals all your diseases.” Isn’t that just the way we humans think, though? We are so focused on our bodies—our hungers, our pains, our diseases—and certainly I am so grateful that God made our bodies to heal and to respond to appropriate treatment. It’s the spiritual that really matters most, though. If God does not forgive my sins, all the bodily health in the world will eventually be for nothing.

And yet, even Jesus ministered to physical needs, didn’t He? He provided all that bread and fish; He stopped the storm at sea; He found money to pay taxes for Peter and Himself. Helping people with their earthly concerns makes them better able to think about loftier matters. I don’t know if the order of God’s benefits in Psalm 103 is truly significant, but it has caused me to stop and think about where my priorities lie. I am trying not to be one of those people “whose god is their belly” (Philippians 3:19) while also acknowledging that sometimes people need a helping hand before they need a sermon. : )

As our pastor is encouraging us to think of all the ways the Church operates, and as we think about various kinds of outreach both collectively and individually, I am thankful for scripture that helps me find balance.

--Sherry Poff

The Yellow Shirt Caper

             There is no joy for a Christian quite that like of Resurrection Sunday morning. Jesus wins! He defeated everything, and because He lives in us, we win, too! There is no darkness or death that can separate us from victory, and eternity with Him. Hallelujah! Christ the Lord is risen today!

          The color yellow is often associated with spring and Easter. In contrast to the dreary hues of winter, spring’s bright sunshine and yellow flowers warm our hearts. According to goodhousekeeping.com, “In a religious context, gold represents joy, victory, and triumph, as in the resurrection's triumph over death.” For the ladies of Grace Baptist Church, yellow and Easter became connected in a unique way this year, as “The Yellow Shirt Caper” occurred.

          It all started March 27, 2022, when Jen Greve shared a video clip from Lighthouse Baptist Church in Florida. The ladies there pranked their husbands into all wearing the same shirt, so Jen wondered if we’d all like to try it at Grace. Everyone thought it would be fun, and the target date and color were set: Easter Sunday, yellow shirts. Thus, the caper commenced.

          Some wives weren’t sure if their husbands would wear yellow. Then, too, finding yellow shirts was a bit tricky. The plan was messaged, texted, and passed along by word of mouth. Amazingly, the secret remained concealed, and excitement grew as the date approached.

          Around fifty men and boys arrived at church on April 17, 2022, wearing yellow shirts! There were pale yellows, bright yellows, yellow and blue plaids, yellows with stripes, short sleeved and long sleeved shirts. Some men also wore a tie, bowtie, or suit jacket. There was even a baby boy with a yellow onesie. The caper had been successful!

          Surprisingly, the men still didn’t realize what was going on, that it had all been planned. Some of them commented after the service to their wives that though they had noticed several others wearing yellow shirts, they didn’t think anything of it. One gentleman thought people were wearing yellow to show solidarity with the Ukraine. There were a lot of smiles amongst families as the ladies revealed the plot in the foyer and hallways.

          “The Yellow Shirt Caper” has an interesting parallel with a profound spiritual truth: the life of Christ lived through us can be manifested in different ways according to our different personalities and circumstances, yet the undeniably recognizable trait of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” shines forth (Col. 1:27). The men at Grace Baptist Church wore all different combinations of yellow, but there was a common point on the color spectrum at which they coincided. Likewise, I think of many people in my life through whom I have seen a glimpse of Jesus. Far from being cookie-cutter Christians, they are unique individuals of varying ages, interests, skills, and stations in life. In each of them, I have seen His flash of glory shine forth. All of them have encouraged me in one way or another, sometimes without their even realizing it. True Christians are part of the same plan with the same goal: loving our Lord with all that we are, and being transformed into His image so as to reflect His glory that others may know Him / know Him better. To quote Twila Paris, “How beautiful is the body of Christ!”

          So, as “The Yellow Shirt Caper” goes down in the books, how shall I remember it? It has definitely been a time of enjoyable camaraderie making a good Easter memory (two Easters ago, our church was hit by a tornado on Easter night, and we are still in the rebuilding process). Doubtless, anytime today is recalled, there will be smiles. And when I think of this Resurrection Sunday’s events, may I also grow in my desire to let Him shine through me. My husband Bill wrote today, “The resurrection is the exclamation point of history.” If that be true, and it is, then surely that vibrant exclamation point should make a difference in my thoughts, words, actions, and reactions (see Psalm 96:2).

          Hallelujah! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! 

-MaryBeth Hall

Hosanna!

In our church we typically do not celebrate Palm Sunday in any traditional way, but

this morning I have been remembering a song my mother sang as I was growing up,

“The Holy City.”  I went back this morning to look up that song.  It celebrates Palm

Sunday.

Last night I lay asleeping

There came a dream so fair

I stood in old Jerusalem

Beside the temple there

I heard the children singing

And ever as they sang

Methought the voice of Angels

From Heaven in answer rang

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem!

Lift up your gates and sing

Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna to your King!"

 

And then methought my dream was chang'd

The streets no longer rang

Hush'd were the glad Hosannas

The little children sang

The sun grew dark with mystery

The morn was cold and chill

As the shadow of a cross arose

Upon a lonely hill

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem!

Hark! How the Angels sing

Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna to your King!"

 

And once again the scene was chang'd

New earth there seem'd to be

I saw the Holy City

Beside the tideless sea

The light of God was on its streets

The gates were open wide

And all who would might enter

And no one was denied

No need of moon or stars by night

Or sun to shine by day

It was the new Jerusalem

That would not pass away

“Jerusalem! Jerusalem

Sing for the night is o'er

Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna for evermore!”

 

The song celebrates the triumphal entry, switches to the crucifixion, then ends with the Holy City, new

Jerusalem.  The story is not complete without all of the components. The angels joined with the children and

the crowd in singing Hosannah as Jesus rode into the city because they knew it was only a taste of what was

to come.  The angels were singing Hosannah even at the crucifixion because the crucifixion was God’s plan

from  the very beginning, the redemption of man.   And I can look forward to the new heavens and earth

because of the day of the crucifixion.  

One of the descriptions of this event, Luke 19:37-40 NLT, says “When He reached the place where the road

started down the Mount of Olives, all of His followers began to shout and sing as they walked along,

praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.” Blessings on the King who comes in the namof the Lord!  Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”  But some of the Pharisees among the crowd

said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”  He replied, "If they kept quiet, the stonesalong the road would burst into cheers!”  If the very stones would cry out in praise, surely we can say,“Hosanna in the highest!  Hosanna for evermore!” Let’s celebrate the King’s entry into Jerusalem.  Hosanna!

 

~~Faith Himes Lamb

 

The New Jerusalem

 

 

The Greatest Miracle

I love seeing answers to my prayers, especially in the form of miracles. Don’t you? I want to see the Red Sea part, the blind see, the lame walk – you get the picture. I am just like the Jews in the Bible who marveled at Jesus’ healing power and His ability to raise people from the dead. But He was always telling people not to tell anyone about these miracles – even when it would have been impossible to keep it a secret. I have always wondered about this, so I did a little online research (I love the “Got Questions” website). I thought Jesus was just trying to keep the religious leaders from finding out because it was not yet time, but GQ says there could be other reasons but the main one being that He wanted people to focus on the bigger problem and solution – sin/death and restoration to spiritual health.

Recently I observed a family in which the enemy has had his way for many years. The results of the sin sickness and demonic activity are obvious and quite visible. Sadly, they have rejected Jesus and embraced darkness (please pray).There is depression with suicidal ideations, substance abuse, relational fractures, raging, mental illness, filth, poverty, hopelessness (not to say these things are always a result of individual sin). Living in my Christian bubble I sometimes forget how bad things can get. Without Jesus, there I go!

The sickness of our souls is not always as outwardly obvious but still just as deadly. Sin can eat away at us in quiet and subtle ways. But when a soul is saved and restored, it really is a magnificent and wondrous thing! Our chains are gone! We have been set free! The curtain is torn in two, and we have access to God! Jesus’ blood sacrifice makes us holy! We get to live in relationship with God Almighty! We get to enjoy the fullness of Christ and all that comes with that! Peace, love, joy…. That is what He wants us to talk about!

Especially in preparation for Resurrection Day, allow God to wow you with His greatest miracle of all – the salvation and restoration of our souls!

 joyce hague