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An Example to Follow

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Whew! Pulling off a surprise wasn’t the easiest task I’ve pulled off as a wife. I so wanted my husband’s 50th birthday to be a special one. It’s been my desire to encourage him on this monumental day (Jan. 22nd). He’s taking this birthday a little hard and I wanted him to see and hear that his life and ministry have counted for so much in light of eternity. Sooooo, I planned a few things to accomplish that.

Beginning on December 4th, fifty days before his birthday, I’ve had one person a day call him to mention his upcoming birthday, then share how his life has impacted them. It took him about five days to figure out what was going on, then each day he’d try to figure out who was going to be “his caller.” Many teased him about the big “5-0”, but then went on to express their appreciation for his friendship and/or ministry. What a blessing each caller has been.

Then of course this surprise party at church last night was another way to encourage him. How wonderful our dear congregation was to come out on a cold night and let him to know how much they love him. As he was practicing music in the sanctuary, about 130 people filed into the auditorium singing “Happy Birthday!” We then headed down to the gym for a soup supper and fellowship, followed by the hilarious opening up of his gifts. He received many gifts of “50.” Fifty pennies, quarters, jelly beans, chocolate kisses, raisins, dollars (!), lists of reasons why they appreciate him, reasons why he should have a happy birthday, etc.

Lastly, the service that followed was also to encourage him. He had no idea that he wasn’t doing any preaching or leading last night until we went upstairs. It was a blessing for Allison and me to sing one of his very favorite songs – “Written in Red.” Then a DVD was shown that our dear sound man put together of my pictures of Dale’s ministry at our church these eight years, plus voice recordings of as many people in our church that were able to come and make a recording of a birthday message for him. It ended with “I saw Jesus in You” by Ron Hamilton. One of our young preachers ended the service preaching about David, a man after God’s own heart. He made much of Christ, which is exactly what Dale desires.

We were not there last night to exalt Dale Cunningham, but his God. We were not praising Dale Cunningham for what he’s done, but for what the Lord has done through him. We all need examples of people that are vessels – just a receptacle, which is defined as a container, device, etc., that receives or holds something. A godly person receives Christ as their Savior, then walks under the control of the Holy Spirit so others can see Him at work.

When I finished reading the story of Joseph this morning I was reminded that just as we are given so many wonderful examples of godly people in Scripture, so are we given living examples of people whose lives we may emulate. They should be honored so that our children will see that these are the kind of examples to follow. The world is always throwing before us poor examples of people whose lives are worldly and sinful. We should praise the Lord when we see someone who is, not perfect, but trying by God’s help to walk the path our Savior trod.

For that reason I say, “Sweetheart, I thank God for your life and example. What a blessing you are to me! Happy birthday!”
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In the Secret of His Presence

In the secret of His presence
How my soul delights to hide!
Oh, how precious are the lessons
That I learn at Jesus’ side!
Earthly cares can never vex me,
Neither trials lay me low;
For when Satan comes to tempt me,
To the secret place I go,
I tell Him all my doubts, my griefs, my fears –
Oh how patiently He listens and my drooping soul He cheers.
Do you think He ne’re reproves me? What a false friend He would be
If He never told me of the sins which He doth see.
Would you like to know the sweetness of the secret of the Lord?
Come and rest beneath His shadow-this shall then be your reward!
And when’er you leave the presence of that happy meeting place
You will surely bear the image of the Master in your face!
–Ellen Lakshmi Goreth
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Talk To Yourself

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It is so easy for me to let my thoughts run ahead of myself and the situation I’m in and begin to think unbiblical thoughts. I think this must be a pretty common thing because I’m seeing this over and over as I read through the book of Genesis. Just this morning I read about Jacob being told by the Lord to return to the land of his fathers and then God gives Jacob this promise in Genesis 31:3 “I will be with thee.” You’d think that would comfort Jacob and relieve his worries. Now granted, Jacob had dealt a dirty blow to his brother Esau twenty years before, and Esau had wanted to kill his brother at that time, but Jacob had God’s promise! However, as Jacob and all his entourage near home, Jacob separates his family into two groups so that if Esau killed the first band of travelers, the second company of people could make an escape. (If you want to know who meant the most to Jacob, read Genesis 34:2 – those were the ones in the second group!)

As you continue to read chapter 34 things get intense as you see these two brothers getting closer and closer to each other. A person reading this for the first time would be filled with intensity to finish the story! Let’s stop the caravan here though, and think about Jacob letting his thoughts run ahead of his camels. Did he really need to do all this scheming? Wouldn’t knowing that God was with him be good enough reason not to be afraid? When Jacob had the first thought about “what might happen” when Esau saw his family, he should have talked himself back to reality! He should have reminded himself of the truth. His thoughts should have run to God’s presence with him, the command from God to return home, and the truth that God loved him and would protect him.

It’s easy for me to see what Jacob should have done, and not so easy to remind myself to do the very same thing. Sometimes my thoughts begin taking me down a road I shouldn’t travel. I begin thinking things I don’t know to be true. I could be thinking about something that hasn’t happened yet, something that is possible, but uncertain, or something that I have totally dreamed up! My thoughts then march straightaway to my emotions. I may tear up. I may cry. I may get angry. When I realize that I’m not thinking about things that are actually true my thoughts should be brought to a stop quicker than a train whose emergency pull is employed. It’s then that I need to start talking to myself… “You don’t know that to be true. What does Philippians 4:8 say? Why are you worrying about things that haven’t happened yet? Matthew 6 says that God will take care of you. God loves you!” It’s a one-sided conversation that needs to get my thoughts back on the track of Biblical thinking. Without that talk to myself I would be headed for disaster!

We all have to know the Truth so we can talk ourselves back to reality – what we really know to be true. Where are your thoughts taking you today? Are you thinking the Truth about your life and your situation, or are you scheming, worrying, and jumping ahead of God? Stop the caravan and have a good talk with yourself. Talk yourself back to the Truth!
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Leading a Lamb

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I recently heard the testimony of a young father whose son was supposed to be in bed sleeping. However the father heard movement in the child’s room and went to investigate. The little boy was sitting up in bed with a book in his lap. Seeing his daddy at the door the child knew he needed to explain and exclaimed, “I’m having my ‘botions’ (devotions) Daddy!” The father’s frustration at the child quickly dissipated!

Where did this three year-old learn to have “botions?” Yes, from his parents. His mommy works had each day to find time to spend in God’s Word and shares with her son that he needs to play quietly nearby so she can have her devotions.

Children are imitators of what they see. This can be a blessing; it can also be a rebuke as we hear them repeat things we’ve said, or behave the way they’ve seen us behave. An unknown source had this to say about the leading of a child – a lamb:

‘Twas a sheep, not a lamb that strayed away in the parable Jesus told.
A grown-up sheep that had gone astray from the ninety and nine in the fold.
Out on the hillside, out in the cold, ’twas a sheep the Good Shepherd sought;
And back to the flock, safe into the fold, ’twas a sheep the Good Shepherd brought.
And why for the sheep should we earnestly long and as earnestly hope and pray?
Because there is danger, if they go wrong, they will lead the lambs astray.
For the lambs will follow the sheep, you know, wherever the sheep may stray;
When the sheep go wrong, it will not be long till the lambs are as wrong as they.
And so with the sheep we earnestly plead, for the sake of the lambs today;
If the sheep are lost, what terrible cost some of the lambs will have to pay!

What a reminder that we must guard our own hearts, because without doing so we will lead our little lambs astray as well. Do we love God, His Word, His house, His people? Then our lambs will learn to love these too. Your little ones are watching and will do whatever you do. Walk the path you want them to walk – their eyes are on your every step.