"Out of the Mouths of Babes"

One Wednesday night in church, a lady who works with a Christian school was talking about some of the prayers and comments of some of the little ones, and it reminded me of a few things.

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When I was about 4 ½ years old and little sis Lil was about 2 ½, and baby brother Tommy was in the hospital struggling for his life, during our regular family prayer time, instead of saying the memorized prayer the smallest ones always said, she started praying in earnest for Tommy, and (I think, although my memory is not all that clear that far back) using some very adult sounding phrases. Us 3 older girls – myself, Mildred, and Leora, were irreverent enough to laugh at her, and she clammed right up. I believe we were later scolded severely for laughing.

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Now, when the above mentioned brother Tommy was about 4, we were at Bible school, part of the Free Methodist camp meeting in Brookville, PA. All the children were together for the opening part of the session. Apropos of nothing, Tommy piped up, “I know how the devil got to be the devil.” The Bible School director asked him, “How?” His response was, “He wanted to be God, so God made him the Devil.”

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Every Sunday morning, at the beginning of the worship service, our pastor has what he calls “Children’s Chat.” He has all the children who are willing to come to the front pew, and he has a little lesson for them. It’s always related to the topic of his sermon.

One Sunday morning he wanted to know if they would get excited if he promised to give one of them a dollar. Unfortunately, he had to bump it up to four dollars before any of them even became interested. He said, “Now, what do you have to do to get these four dollars?” He was, of course, trying to get them to say they just had to accept them (since he’d already promised).

He got all kinds of answers. “Do good things. Pray to get them.” One young fellow, about 3rd grade or so (who hadn’t come up to front pew, but was sitting back with his grandmother), said something about saying nice things. The pastor said, “OK, turn to your grandmother and tell her she looks nice.” He said, “You look nice that was against my will.” (all run together like that).

Finally one little guy, about kindergarten or first grade apparently came up with the right answer. I didn’t hear him, but the pastor said to him, “Come here.” He stood up. “Put out your hand.” He did so, and the pastor put the four dollars in his hand.

But the crowning point comes later. It’s necessary at this point to say that we have 12 people in our church who are going with a district team on a 2-week missions trip to Guatemala this summer. After the service, as people were leaving, I was just about to shake hands with the pastor, and this little fellow (the one who "accepted" the four dollars) came up. He handed the money to the pastor, saying, “This is for your Guatemala trip.”

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Blogger's note: Brother Tommy mentioned above is the father of missionary Suzanne several blogs back.

Getting to Know Your Friends

Got this from one of my yahoo 360 friends

Welcome to the new 2008 edition of 'Getting to know your Friends!'

Okay here's what you're supposed to do: change all the answers so they apply to you. Have Fun!

1. What is your occupation: Retired
2. What color are your socks right now: Navy blue
3. What are you listening to right now: a ticking clock
4. What was the last thing you ate: a sandwich
5. Can you drive stick shift: learned on one (there weren't many of the other kind around then)
6. Who is the last person you talked to on the phone: a friend from church
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you: yes
8. How old are you: 72
9. What's your favorite soda: Dr. Pepper
10. What's your favorite sport: sitting in front of the computer
11. Have you ever dyed your hair: never, can't imagine wasting time & effort to do that
12. Do you have any pets: Dog, Bonnie; Cat, Nutmeg
13. Favorite dessert: Apple pie
14. What's the last movie you've seen: The Passion of Christ
15. What's your favorite day of the week? Nearly all the same to me
16. How do you prevent anger? Avoid anger making situations
17. What was your favorite toy when you were little: Sister Lil reminded me - a home-made stuffed toy called "Lucy Goosey." We affectionately called it the "gloose."
18. What's your favorite season: Spring - it means winter is over
19. Hugs or Kisses: both
20. Cherries or Blueberries: both
21. Will your friends e-mail you back: Usually
22. Who's most likely to respond: My Chinese friend
23. Who's least likely to respond: My daughter
24. Current living arrangement: house
25. When was the last time you cried: don't remember
26. What's on the floor of your closet: junk
27. Who is the friend that you've known longest and are sending it to: Whoever reads my blog - Dee, perhaps, and sister Lil
28. What did you do last night? Slept
29. Favorite smells: Lilac, Mock Orange
30. Who inspires you: My great-niece Kathryn
31. Who were you afraid of as a little kid: God
32. Do you prefer plain, cheese, or spicy hamburger: cheese
33. Favorite dog breed: whatever I have at the moment (right now, a blue heeler)
34. How many states have you lived in: 3
35. Favorite Holiday: Christmas
36. Most missed memory: My grandchildren visiting
37. Favorite Store: Best buy
38. Whom do you miss right now: My grandchildren & great-grandchildren
39. When was the last time you slipped on ice? This afternoon
40. If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be and why?: ???

"Oh, Make Me Clean!"

This hymn was brought to my mind because I have been studying some books about the theology promoted by John Wesley, which, for ease of reference, bears his name, although it did not originate with him. This hymn itself probably (based on what I have read so far) does not reflect this theology as Wesley himself would have expounded it, but its terminology and usage is quite common in Wesleyan circles. Another point about this song – it was written by George W. Bennard, who is better known for having written a very well known hymn – “The Old Rugged Cross.”


Oh, Make Me Clean


1. With aching heart and spirit sore destressed,
I came to Thee, and Thou didst give me rest;
Now, Lord, I pray and long with deep desire
To be made clean by Thy refining fire.

Chorus – for vs. 1&2
Oh, make me clean, Oh, make me clean,
Mine eyes Thy holiness have seen.
Oh, send the burning, cleansing flame,
And make me clean in Jesus’ name.

2. I hate the sin which grieves Thy loving heart;
Speak, precious, Lord, and bid it all depart;
Thy temple cleanse, and make my heart Thy home;
Come, King of kings, and reign Thyself alone.

(Chorus – for vs. 1&2)

3. Dear Lamb of God, I yield my all to Thee.
Thine, wholly Thine, forevermore to be;
Now in my heart I feel the sacred flame,
He makes me clean, oh, glory to his name!

Chorus – v 3
He makes me clean, He makes me clean,
Mine eyes the glorious King have seen;
Just now I feel the sacred flame,
Oh, glory to His precious name!


I couldn’t find this anywhere on the internet, so I have no way to let you see or hear the music.

(Originally posted January 12, 2008)

Room at the Cross

This post was inspired by my friend Dee, when she told me about the big cross she sees when she looks across the street from her house. This song came immediately to mind. It appears in some modern hymnbooks, but I have verified that it is in Public Domain.

Room at The Cross
By Ira Stanphill

The cross upon which Jesus died
Is a shelter in which we can hide
And its grace so free is sufficient for me
And deep is its fountain as wide as the sea.

Chorus
There's room at the cross for you
There's room at the cross for you
Though millions have come, there's still room for one
Yes there's room at the cross for you.

Though millions have found him a friend
And have turned from the sins they have sinned
The Savior still waits to open the gates
And welcome a sinner before it's too late.

(Chorus)

The hand of my Savior is strong
And the love of my Savior is long
Through sunshine or rain, through loss or in gain,
The blood flows from Calvary to cleanse every stain.

(Chorus)


Click on the link below to hear the music.
http://www.my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis2/room2.html


(Originally posted December 31, 2007)

Missionaries

Picture: New missionaries, my niece Suzanne and her husband Bob

I grew up hearing about – and hearing – missionaries. My mother had a real heart for missions, and it was her strong desire that at least one of her children become a missionary. I think it was probably that strong desire that caused 3 of her children to believe at one time that they were called to the mission field, but never went. I have no reason to believe that they were called, then reneged on their call. Perhaps they were “called” in a way, but not to a foreign field.

Of the 3, her oldest son suffered brain damage as a child, and as an adult, this affected his mental condition, and eventually he was unable to live independently.

The next son pursued the intent of being a missionary for much longer – it was not until after he was married (I believe) that he no longer held to his call to a foreign field. I cannot believe that he reneged on a genuine call – he has five children and many grandchildren, and all his family are serving the Lord today, so I cannot believe he has lived outside of God’s will.

The second daughter actually tried to go to a mission field – Cuba – when she was 19 years old, but was not permitted to go by herself as a minor (the majority age was then 21). She continued in Bible school, but she did not pursue the foreign mission field again.

The youngest (5th daughter) went to high school at a Bible school. She was the “rebellious” daughter (no one would think that in this day and age!), but while she was in high school, she found the Lord, and returned home full of the intent to go to a foreign mission field, without the influence of Mom’s desire. She did go. She was in Mozambique at the time of the Communist revolution. She was later in Zaire (now the Republic of the Congo), then in Rwanda (before the outbreak of the fighting between the 2 factions). After her marriage (at the age of 47), she and her husband went on several short term missions trips to the Philippines, and they also spent some time in Brazil (where her husband grew up).

Now – my brother’s younger daughter is preparing, with her husband, to be a full-time missionary. They went on a short-term missions trip to the Czech Republic earlier this year, and as a result, they felt the Lord’s call to full-time missionary service. This month – starting the 15th – they are going to Kampala, Uganda for a 2-week “introductory” missions trip. They will be there over Christmas. Then some time next year they will go on a 4 to 6 month “exploratory” trip to the area. By the end of 2008, they plan to be there as full-time missionaries. My mother’s dream continues!

(Originally posted December 12, 2007)