May 31, 2009

Photographic Memory

Jennie and her parents graduate from Cal Baptist University, Riverside!

“Jesus does not say, ‘Come to me, all you who have learned how to concentrate in prayer, whose minds no longer wander, and I will give you rest.’ No, Jesus opens his arms to his needy children and says, ‘Come to me, all who are weary and heaven-laden, and I will give you rest.’ The criteria for coming to Jesus is messiness. Come overwhelmed with life. Come with your wandering mind. Come messy.” —Paul Miller

Remembering His Grace, Begging His Mercy

Why should we praise the Lord? As we learned from one of the “hallelujah” Psalms, because of His great works!

Thank you Lord for the grace You gave to Jennie Gutierrez in order to complete the requirements to graduate with a degree in nursing. The ceremony at California Baptist University in Riverside was held two weeks ago.

Shirley Fryer sent a nice report about David and Pam’s wedding two weeks ago Saturday that included some 200 guests and rain that waited until after the beginning of the reception. As a surprise, Bill Holeman was also honored on the occasion of his upcoming 80th birthday!

Armon Siemsen’s teaching contract will not be renewed for next Fall. Armon and Elona’s daughter’s teaching position will not be renewed and their son-in-law’s position in an Accounting Office was terminated. They live in North Carolina. Please pray that God will provide.

Donna Rigsby’s mother, Mrs. Duncan, is in the hospital. Her health has declined in the last weeks. Would you pray for Mrs. Duncan, her family, and those who are assisting her at this time?

A memorial service for Mark Sheets was held Saturday, May 30th. The Lord was truly honored in this service as the work Jesus Christ accomplished in and through Mark was remembered. If you desire to make a memorial contribution, the family has asked that it be made to Kentucky Mountain Mission (P.O. Box 588 / Beattyville, KY 41311-0588). Would you pray for Mark’s family and friends in this time of a sad kind of rejoicing? Nidia Sheets (Box 515 / Wildomar, CA 92595). Jane Sheets (23057 Canyon Lake Dr. / Canyon Lake, CA 92380).

The last report given on Kayden Edwards is that he and his parents are now (happily) home. Praise the Lord for guiding this family through this crisis and receiving the glory due only to Jesus! Please continue to pray for complete health. Kayden’s parents have a website which gives the latest developments. It is www.walkingbesidequietwaters.blogspot.com.

Aaron Covington graduates from high school June 3, Sarah Vanderwall graduates from Manteca High June 5 (as well as other Covington relatives and friends too distant to be present for: Barrette, Branden, Taylor, and Tiffany).

We pray for the physical safety. emotional stability, and spiritual awakening of the men and women of our military forces who are engaged in fulfilling their responsibilities.

• Marvin Funkhouser—deployed to Iraq for 18 months
• Coleen—a friend of Woody and Barbara Blalock
• Tony Loving—flying troops in and out of various areas
• Bryan Miller—in Guam, will be in Iraq soon
• Sam Im
• Steven Henning
• Jorge Avalos
• Ryan Bareng
• Jeremy Peters—currently in Iraq
• Jeremy Thomas—currently in Afghanistan
• Jason Kiser—currently in the Gulf
• John Kiser—currently in Iraq

Read the Bible

In April, May, and June our Bible reading centers in Hebrew History, from Joshua to Esther. In June we’ll read Ezra (10), Nehemiah (13), Esther (10). The chapter totals are listed to help set your reading pace. Remember to include 3 Psalms and 1 chapter from Proverbs each week.

The suggested 2009 Bible reading guide (1 page) can be downloaded here.

“Peace if possible, truth at all costs.”

Finishing Well

Hello Everyone,

Friday, May 29th I returned home after a pleasant trip and wonderful visit with Don and Mary Thomas in Powell, Wyoming last week, as well as their family and the folks at Trinity Bible Church.

Wednesday, June 3, my mom and I are off to high school graduations. Aaron (Kenneth and Danite’s middle son) graduates Wednesday evening. Friday, June 5 Sarah (Teri and Dennis’s daughter) graduates in Manteca (just south of Stockton, CA). We’ll return the following Tuesday.

Saturday, May 30, was a day for remembering the life God gave Mark Sheets. As the pastor prayed near the beginning of the service, he asked that our worship would glorify Jesus Christ. I believe his prayer was divinely answered. Each fond memory of Mark pointed back to his Savior and Lord.

It was hearing Psalm 46 read on the radio just after Mark and Nidia learned he had cancer that brought him comfort. Pastor Peter VanDyke (of Canyon Lake Community Church) read the psalm.

My ears heard all the words but my mind seemed to linger on the phrase in verse 3 and did not fully engage again until the final verse.

“God is our refuge and strength,

    A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

    Even though the earth be removed, … The LORD of hosts is with us

                    The God of Jacob is our refuge.”

From our perspective, at the death of someone we know and love, “the earth (seems to) be removed.” But from God’s point of view, He has only removed one speck from His creation. God knows the trauma that comes to our lives as He acts. As He works His will, we have the assurance of His presence with us.

The pastor’s meditation centered on “knowing Christ” from Philippians 3:7-11, especially verse 10.

“That I may know him [Christ],

    and the power of his resurrection,

        and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to His death,

    if, by any means,

        I may attain to the resurrection of the dead.”

In a couple of vignettes from a video recording of his testimony, Mark expressed how much more clearly he understood Christ’s suffering in order to provide for his salvation (and our’s). Maybe Mark’s perception of our hope that results from Christ’s resurrection was heightened in my own thoughts because of our current study of the resurrection doctrine in 1 Corinthians 15.

I was pleasantly surprised that the final note of the service was a favorite song. Many of you could probably sing “Victory in Jesus” without a copy of the words. Even in the familiar, one truth had new meaning. The last line of the refrain goes like this, “He (Jesus) plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.”

Among Mark’s favorite recreations was surfing. Surfers know the thrill of riding with the force of the waves. Those who do (and especially those who have tried) also know the feeling of peril that can come when a wave breaks over you and buries you under the water. If it is even just for a moment, surfers are at the mercy of the water surrounding them. Surfers do not score points in competitions by falling off their boards or drowning. That’s not victory. Similarly, the best any of us can do to earn points with God for eternal life is to fall and drown. However, those who believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life are awarded the “victory” which He has already obtained.

What about that “plunging” part? Why is it necessary that Jesus “plunge” me to victory? Maybe Jesus knows something about surfing the cold (-cold) Pacific Ocean. If you try to tip-toe into the water, more often than not, you will back out. By suddenly and completely bringing us into a new condition when Christ begins His work of grace we realize how greatly we are at His mercy and know there’s no turning back now.

Jim Covington