By Joe Widick
This weekend is a time set aside to remember. Thousands upon thousands of people will visit cemeteries and monuments to remember and honor their loved ones. What do you do when you go to a cemetery or monument? You look at a name that has been carved in stone, and as you look at that name your recall the person for whom it stands. Your thoughts about that person, depends largely on whom it was and the life that they lived. If for instance the name on the monument was Hitler, there would be feelings of contempt. If the name there was Winston Churchill, it would bring a positive response. Even within the circle of our own acquaintances, we remember some individuals with thankfulness, while we think negatively of others whose lives were spent in only selfish pursuits.
I think it also important to realize that the reflections on the lives of others who have gone before us can encourage us to evaluate the way we are living today. When people hear our name, do they think of someone who is faithfully living for Christ? Long ago, King Solomon observed; “The memory of the righteous is blessed” (Proverbs 10:7). “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1). “A good name is better than precious ointment” (Ecclesiastes 7:1). A solid reputation and loving relationships are high achievements. Honesty, integrity, and generosity in life are more valuable than the most expensive funeral. Remember that perfume will fade, but the aroma of our lives lingers on and on.
One of my favorite passages comes at the end of the story of the woman who anointed Jesus with precious ointment. Jesus said; “What this woman has done will be told as a memorial to her.” On this Memorial weekend we pause to honor those of past generations. While many stirring recollections flood our minds, we realize that the time will come when each of us will be a memory. What will others recall of our words and deeds when they think of us? What will your memorial be? Why not determine by the grace of God to live for Him and give yourself to the needs of others. Then your testimony will become a blessing and inspiration to all who follow in your steps. Always remember that by our actions and attitudes we are creating the memories that will be associated with our names in life and death.
Prayer Thought: Thank God daily for all those who have made sacrifices for the freedoms that we enjoy today.
By Joe Widick
Little Johnny was so excited to be off to school that beautiful September morning. There is always a lot that goes into that first day of school. His parents make sure that Johnny has everything he will need; his backpack must be “just right.” There are pictures to be made of that special day. A few tears that are shed, only adds to Johnny’s confusion of what is going on. Mom gives Johnny a dime to buy a carton of milk to go with the special lunch she has prepared for the first day of school. Off he goes on a new adventure. Mom waits all day for his triumphant return. Finally Johnny appears at the door and receives a big hug. “How did things go today, tell me all about it, did you make friends, was your teacher nice?” After all the questions and answers mom asks about lunch. “Did you buy the milk with the dime that I gave you?” “No,” Johnny replied, bursting into tears. “The milk was 5 cents and I only had a dime.”
Does that describe you and me at times? How do we respond to the demands that are placed upon each of us daily? Do we respond in the same childish understanding that Johnny did over the milk? According to God’s Word, I have all the resources I need at my disposal—I even have more than enough to meet my needs and yet I’m reluctant to act because I fear that I won’t have enough. The Bible however assures me that God has provided me with every blessing in abundance. “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8). Did you catch the emphasis in this passage? ALL!!
The apostle Paul was not saying that we have enough grace to do anything we want to do. God does not offer us a blank check. Paul was giving us the assurance that we have enough grace to do whatever God has called us to do-whether it is to give money for the cause of the gospel (II Corinthians 9:7), or to give love to a difficult teenager, or an indifferent spouse, or an aging parent. Whatever the task, God will make sure we have “an abundance for every good work.” We need to always remember that God’s call to a task includes His strength to complete it. What about you and I, are we ready to roll up our sleeves and get busy doing the work that the Lord desires?
Prayer Thought: That God will instill within each of us the desire to get busy in the work of the kingdom
By Joe Widick
As you know, we have sent support to buy Bibles for the Russians schools, to help impact the lives of the children in this distant country. We are also sending a group of men to construct a home for an orphanage in Honduras. When I heard the story of little Ivan, I felt in some way a bit of understanding of what he wanted. Ivan was a loveable little boy with a shock of light brown hair that fell casually over his forehead. He had been moved from one difficult situation after another. Finally word came to him that he was going to be leaving the orphanage that he was currently at. Not knowing where he was headed, he asked the director with pleading eyes; “Please, will you find me a mother?” I know that fathers are important, but there are times when nothing but a mother’s touch will do.
On one occasion the apostle Paul sent a special greeting to a fellow believer in Rome by the name of Rufus. “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too” (Romans 16:13). Why would this aged apostle make a reference like this? It is obvious that during his lifetime of ministry, Paul faced many hardships (II Corinthians 6:4-10). Could it be that Rufus had brought a weary and tired apostle to his house, where Paul received from the mother of Rufus comforting words, a fresh garment to wear, and a nourishing meal? Did Paul receive from her the empathy and tenderness that only a mother can give? It is obvious that you or I can not find this in scripture, but it could possibly explain his unusual greeting in Romans 16.
I believe that God has given mothers a unique capacity for showing gentleness and compassion, and for influencing the spiritual direction of children.
Once again Mother’s Day had come. For most if not all, we will in some way do something special for our mothers, or remember them in a meaningful way. What happens on Monday becomes important also. We do not need to simply remember our mothers on one special day, but each and every day of the year.
I recently read that the moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. What a rich blessing mothers are. Let’s be thankful for our mothers and their “special touch.”
Prayer thought: Lift up praise and thanksgiving for our mothers and their influence in our lives.
By Joe Widick
Today we will be going from one end of the spectrum to the other. This morning we are honoring the births of babies during the past year and then this evening we are honoring our high school seniors. What a day!! Those who have seniors that are graduating thing year look back over the years and wonder where the time has gone. For those who are new parents, you wonder if the long nights or colic, or wet diapers will ever end. Time does not stand still it marches on. We look at are children at one stage being so dependent on us, to seeing them feel completely independent. Time marches on! It was only yesterday that I was holding my child in my arms, telling them a story, helping them learn to stand-up, or take a first step. Now they have their own car, a part-time job, involved in sports and seemingly never at home. Time marches on! There is an old poem that many of you are familiar with, written by Eugene Fields entitled “Little Boy Blue.” The first stanza says:
The little toy dog is covered with dust,
But sturdy and stanch he stands;
And the little toy soldier is red with rust,
And his musket moulds in his hands.
Time was when the little toy dog was new,
And the soldier was passing fair;
And that was the time when our Little Boy Blue
Kissed them and put them there.
What is all this rambling about? Two things for two different groups. For those who are beginning this journey of raising and training your child please remember to use the guidance of the Bible. Deuteronomy 6:1-9 gives us a guideline for teaching and training. Do not let a night go by that you do not encourage your child to pray or pray with them and for them. Always set good examples for them to follow all the days of their life. Be sure they know the grand stories of the Bible, make them exciting and encouraging. Encourage them to “Remember their creator in the days of their youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). For those whose journey is changing as your son or daughter prepares for graduation, may you be able to look back and say “Well done” Hold on to the precious memories and continue to encourage them in making good decisions and to never ever forsake the Lord. Always remember that “Children are a heritage from the Lord, children are a reward from him.” Psalms 127:3.
Prayer Thought: Thank you Lord for blessing our families here at Maple Hill
By Joe Widick
I recently read the story of a prince of a small, oil-rich Asian nation was indicted for allegedly squandering 16 billion dollars of his country’s wealth. That is 16 with nine zeroes following it. Over a ten year period, the prince is believed to have lost huge sums of money through poor judgment and bad investments. His nation’s high court said that he had actually spent 2.7 billion just on aircraft, yachts, cars and jewelry.
You are probably like me and can not imagine that much money. We can only shake our heads in disbelief. As I thought about the abundance he had and then the abundance that he wasted, I found myself having to look at my actions a little closer. Am I guilty of recklessly wasting riches—not material possessions but rather the riches of God’s grace? Since I have received His mercy and forgiveness what type of life do I live. Do I find myself continuing to yield to sin? In one sense of the word, I am squandering His grace.
In John 5 there is one of those remarkable stories about Jesus. He has come across a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight long years. When the Lord saw him, he had compassion on him and healed him. Then interestingly the Lord said to him; “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you” (John 5:14). Does it sound to you like Jesus is warning him not to waste God’s healing touch on his life? The apostle Paul would plead with all of the Christians at Corinth “not to receive the grace of God in vain” (II Corinthians 6:1). What do you and I do with the grace that has been extended to us? Do we waste it, or have we allowed it to result in a changed life? Titus 2:11-12 tells us what we should do with grace; “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
As God freely forgives us, His grace opens the door for us to change. How tragic it would be to waste or fritter away a spiritual fortune instead of allowing “the riches of His grace” to transform our lives! (Ephesians 1:7).
The next time we sing “Amazing Grace,” let each of us focus on the real treasure that we have freely received, and may each of us vow that we will not waste that rich blessing. One writer once said “to avoid disgrace, grow in grace.” Let each of us determine to use God’s gift wisely.
Prayer Thought: Remember those who are shut-in and home bound as well as those who take the time to visit with them.
