By Joe Widick
I don’t know what your attic looks like. I hope however that it better organized than mine. This past Christmas, I had to struggle to get out the Christmas decorations. I told Elaine that I was going to have to do some organizing of the attic ( I have done this many times before). As the Christmas season came to an end, I began a project that I am still working on. Organize the attic into a functional place. I have bought plastic containers, and labeled them with what was in each. The reason it has taken me this long is two fold. One I don’t always have the time to get up there and work. Two, I find myself doing a lot of reminiscing. With each old dilapidated box that I would get into, my mind would go back to an earlier time when those items seemed to be a “priceless treasures.”
I have uncovered a Barbie doll that Mary Anne played with, and Elaine made doll clothes for. There was one box that contained some Star War action figures and hot wheel cars that were priceless to Lane. There were old ball caps that Marty wore with pride. The list is endless. There was even a box of old love letters that Elaine and I shared with one another as we dated. Even though I chose to throw some items away, I find myself still keeping too many of these treasures. The heat and cold of the attic has taken its toll on some items. Mice have gotten into some of the boxes and done damage. I cannot help but think of what Jesus once said about our treasures. Don’t lay your treasures up here on earth where moth and rust destroy, but lay up treasures in heaven. The items mentioned above are priceless to me, and fill me with many wonderful memories, none however can compare with the joy of being ushered into heaven forever and ever.
I have told Elaine, that this is going to be the last time I rearrange the attic. Someone else is going to do it the next time. I am putting things carefully into plastic tubs and labeling each so that I will always know what is in each of them. I look at these “priceless treasures” and realize how much their memories mean to me, and I look to the future and the thought that one day I will no longer be here. I grow a little melancholy. Do I find myself like Paul who said; “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain…I am torn between the two…” (Philippians 1:21 &23). I love my “priceless treasures” but what a joy it will be to one day be in that wonderful place called Heaven.
Prayer Thought: Remember those of our number who are the “Young at Heart.”
By Joe Widick
Anyone who enjoys history usually has a period of history that they prefer over others. As a history major, I found the age of exploration to be especially exciting. Obviously one of the most famous of all explorers was Christopher Columbus. On one of his voyages to the new world, he and his crew came across a remarkable tree. It had somewhat rounded fruit that bounced like a ball. Its Indian name was caoutchouc or “the weeping wood.” The tree was given that name because it emitted a sap that looked like the tree’s tears. Eventually inventors discovered that the sap could be harvested and allowed to harden into an eraser that rubbed out pencil lead—hence the name “rubber”
By 1830 it was discovered that rubber could withstand very cold temperatures when sulfur was added to it. This led the way to a huge demand for rubber when the automobile ws invented. Later it was discovered that the sap could be used to make latex surgical gloves. The rubber tree had multiple uses that needed only to be discovered!
Out of a simple yet unique tree has come many valuable resources, that once discovered have had a tremendous impact on mankind. I think the same is true with each of us. We are all made in a very unique way. The psalmist said that we were fearfully and wonderfully made. The New Testament writer Paul said; “There are different kind of gifts, but the same Spirit. Three are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men” (I Corinthians 12:4-5). I hope that all who read this article will realize that they have been blessed with special gifts. Sometimes they need to be discovered, just like the uses of rubber were discovered. Once found, they need to be used to their fullest potential. I would encourage each of us to look more closely at the talents and abilities that God has blessed us with. I also pray that we will then be willing to use those gifts to bring more glory and honor to the Lord. May our prayer be; “Lord, please give me the willingness to explore the spiritual gifts You have planted within me. Give me the desire to use them in ways that please You and help Your people.”
Isn’t it wonderful to know that God has placed in the membership at Maple Hill special gifts? I believe that when we use these gifts, that we will truly be able to turn the world upside down for His glory and honor.
Prayer Thought: For our teenagers and their parents—for unity and spiritual growth.
By Joe Widick
Imagine for a moment that it is Christmas. You and your family get up early to open the gifts. For some reason you decide to simply let the gifts be. You never offer to open any of them. Now change your thoughts for a moment. I received this week a monthly report from one of our missionaries, Juan Carlos Santamaria in Siquatepeque, Honduras. In the report he told of a fifteen year old boy who accepted Christ as his savior and put Him on in baptism. As he continued his report, he wrote about a series of lessons that he was presenting entitled the “Gifts of God.” The next part of the report dealt with a funeral of an older gentlemen. The older man had died outside of Christ. Juan mentioned that he did not receive the greatest gift of God, the gift of salvation.
It would be foolish for me to think that at Christmas time you would simply leave the gifts that had been left for you unopened. As foolish at that thought is, how foolish is it for many throughout the world to refuse the gifts that God has promised each of us. Why do you and I receive gifts? It’s because someone loves us and wants to give us something that is very special. In my office I have several gifts that have been given to me by former students, missionaries, and grandchildren. I believe that each was given to me because of their love for me. They are precious to me.
John 3:16 tells me that God loves me and because of that love. He has given me the opportunity to have everlasting life. In Romans 6:23 Paul states; “…the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Imagine for a moment that there is the gift and that gift is neatly wrapped up in beautiful paper. There is a nametag on the gift that says TO: (put your name here) FROM: God. Would you not be willing to open that precious gift? As you open it, you find that there is something required of you. You first must have faith, for without it, it is impossible to please Him. Then you realize that this faith will help you see the need to repent of your sins and to confess the name of Jesus, followed by being baptized, having your sins washed away. Now what is this gift that you have just unwrapped? It is the greatest of all gifts; it is the gift of salvation. Do not be like the older gentleman that Juan talked about, who did receive the greatest gift. Rather open the greatest of all gifts, that of eternal life.
Prayer Thought: Remember our young families, that they will be able to create a special spiritual heart in their family.
By Joe Widick
I would guess that all of us love to see spring come. The flowers nudge through the ground and begin to grow, reminding us each day of God’s plan and God being in control. The first flowers always seem to be buttercups. Most every yard has some. Years ago Elaine went out to a farm of some people who worshipped with us at Bethel, and dug several clumps for our yard. Through the years some have been moved from one location to another. They have spread and become numerous. Each year as they blossom Elaine and I can reflect on not only the glory of God, but also the kind lady who said help yourself to as many as you want.
As most of you know, this winter has been interesting. We had an early warm spell and with that, the buttercups came up way too early. The warm weather was followed by several weeks of cold weather, with a couple of dustings of snow. The poor buttercups looked terrible. They were not holding their bloom up high, reaching for the sun, but rather they were drooping to the ground. The first part of this week, saw warm weather return, with some sunshine. When it did, it seemed like a miracle that the bedraggled buttercups perked up, filling parts of our yard with a touch of yellow.
Have you ever felt beaten down by life’s events? Have you been the object of an unkind word, a misunderstanding? Have things not turned out as you had hoped? Events like these can cause us to become discouraged, disillusioned to the point that we seem to hang our head much like the buttercup that has been beaten down by the bad weather. I long for that day that Carlin prays about. That day when Jesus will return, when we will stand in the “Son Light” when we are in the presence of His glory. The Hebrew writer provides encouragement to stay focused on what is important: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Has some life event come and beaten you down. Are you ready to step into the “Son Light” and bloom for the Lord? Isaiah said, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1)
