By Joe Widick
This past week we were notified by the bank that there was a concern about a check that one of our missionaries, Carlos Zuluaga had cashed. It didn’t look like his signature and it was more than the usual amount on the check. Communication is sometimes a challenge. I can’t just pick-up the phone and ask questions. I immediately sent him an email asking him if the check was his or had his account been compromised. I then asked if he would respond ASAP. Carlos must have been working at his computer because within thirty minutes he responded to me and in his broken English said; “I can’t find what ASAP is.” Lesson learned! The story had a good ending, the check was his. He simply had not taken all of his salary in the previous month and was needing to catch-up.
Have you or I ever been guilty of thinking that someone knew exactly what we were talking about, only to discover that we had used words or phrases that may not have been understandable to that person? The apostle Paul was a remarkable man in his ministry. His ability to relate to the needs to so many people was remarkable. It seems that he was comfortable talking to those who were noble as well as those whose position in life was not as influential. When he was working with the people in Corinth, he was at his best. Remember his words as he wrote a letter of instruction to them; “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power” (I Corinthians 2:4-5). As we talk with people about what we hold as the truth, are we making it such that they understand what we are saying. Do they see us as being truly God’s children who are simply wanting to share one of the greatest stories of all times. It is not difficult to know that we have done things to disappoint God. It is not difficult to know that we need to correct that somehow. It is not difficult to tell the story of Jesus who loved us so much that he made redemption possible. Being able to share with someone the need to confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God is an easy lesson. Realizing the need for baptism is easily taught as one looks at the concept of being buried taught in Romans 6. As one does this one begins to see and know the “spirit’s power.” It is an easy lesson and easy to understand. However I will always strive to make certain that the words I use are known and understandable.
By Joe Widick
I try my best to keep up with technology. It seems the more I try the further behind I get. I recently got a new cell phone. I am still in a learning curve on what I can and can’t do with the phone. I love to teach using power point as a tool. I know that many people are visual learners, and to have the tools to put material in front of people to help them learn is a blessing. I have tried to use power point in my classes on Wednesday night. I carefully pack my laptop and take it to class and hook it up to the projector for use. Three out of the last four weeks I have either had to call Kade or Landon for help. They come and with a few key strokes I am up and running! Why can’t I do that? It looks so easy! I wonder that if when they leave my presence, they shake their heads and say to themselves, “he will never get it.” Try as I may, I will probably never catch completely up with the technology that seemingly makes life easier.
I can still laugh at myself when I think I have it figured out only to have to ask for some help. People my age (or at least me) may struggle with technology, but the Lord has given me something very important to do. In Psalm 71:18 the psalmist penned these words; “When I am old and gray headed, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.” Because I am older and have experienced the values of a life lived for the Lord, I should be willing and able to continue to tell the beautiful story of a heavenly father who loved me so much that he gave his son to die on the cross. The lessons I have learned in life, as well as those lessons you have learned in life, are not just for our benefit but also for us to pass along to the next generations. In my class this morning, I am going to talk about the idea of what it would be like for us to unplug the teaching of God’s word to just one generation. What would happen to that generation, what values would they lose? How would that impact the next generation? Maybe being “someone my age” isn’t such a bad thing. It is the privilege of being a “veteran” Christ follower to declare the strength and power of God to the younger generations. That is how you and I who are getting older can truly be inspirational to them. You see the best gift for the younger generation is a good example from the older generation. So let me tell you about….no, let me show you what living for Christ is like.
By Joe Widick
May reeport
La Peace of God stay with you dear brothers and sisters.
The church in Ramon Amaya Amador send greetings to you all, thanks God we are with enough benediction and health. Though some neighbors and friends are with problems with the strong winter.
The church is firm growing in number and spiritually, the brothers who are studying for leaders have good disposition and it is my longing that they could preach soon. Some sisters are visiting the houses of sick persons and help in the program of restoration.
This May has come the winter with a lot of force, is normal here for the season of hurricanes, in our neighborhood there are 4 destroyed houses and 21 houses with serious threats for the dampness after the rains. 25 families are all in the communal house in small mattresses. I have offered them the building of church of Christ but the families they prefer being united in the communal house because they wait for the help of the government. Tomorrow with the president of the neighborhood we are going to do the breakfast with eggs and tortillas. We are going to fry about 100 eggs and we will give them of very warm cinnamon Tea, God blesses the food.
like nurse I help little in something with health but I will be asking for medicine to the clinic in Baxter institute and others for diseases of the climate that I could handle, these people die of small diseases for reasons that you can imagine.
They like the prayer and small preach to have the strength and hope.
Please pray for the mission in here in Tegucigalpa and for our friends affected in the winter.
Blessings
Samuel Diaz Anariba
By Joe Widick
I recently read a brief history of a small western town in Texas named Texline. The history of this town depicted how it grew and prospered in the late 1800s because of a railroad line that ran by the city. With the railroad came many shops and individuals who wanted to purchase items in the shops. The town of Texline was thriving. As time passes the railroad no longer went by the city and things began to change. Most of the shops closed and the town’s population shriveled to about 400 people. In the census of 2000 it was determined that only 500 people lived there. One online description of the city of Texline says it has “a city limits sign at one end, another at the other end, and not much in between.”
As I read that description I thought if that description is like you and I in our daily walk. What a waste if the same description could be given of our spiritual journey! My Christian journey began when I was twelve years old. It will continue until I either pass from this life or Christ returns. The question that I need to keep before me is what has happened to that “in between time?” Is there something there that has pleased God, or disappointed Him? I should be experiencing a full and rich life because I believe in the one they call Jesus, and I strive to serve Him. The apostle Paul prayed that believers would “…be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19). He wanted the Ephesians as well as you and I to experience that life Christ talked about in John 10:10 “….I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” I wonder how many of us have experienced even a small part of the abundant life Christ promised to those who are faithful to Him? Maybe, just maybe, we have not put anything into our Christian journey. Instead of humbly serving maybe we have gone through life demanding and expecting much from Him. Instead of sharing His love with others we question His love because things have not gone as we thought they should go. One thing we need to continually remember is that God’s desire was for a marvelous beginning with salvation being promised if we remain faithful to Him, and a great ending in glory, as Christ returns to claim His own. In between there is the promise of much if we will but heed His promises. Remember that a life given fully to God becomes a God-filled life. A God filled life has much joy and happiness. Make your in between time special.
By Joe Widick
The Widick household has been a little more lively this week. We were blessed to have Marvin, Gisela, Raquel and Sari in our home. They are worshiping with us today. Marvin will lead our praises to God. The children will go to classes and Marvin will teach the auditorium class. It is going to be a good day!
I first met Marvin while he was a student at Baxter. His singing ability as well as his humble spirit stood out. I knew he was going to do some special work for the Lord. Image for a moment being 26 years old and part of a team of missionaries all about the same age, going to Bogotá, Colombia to plant a church that would one day be self-supporting and have elders to shepherd the flock. Imagine being that age and having to experience the ups and downs of a new congregation. Imagine starting your family in a different country, knowing that you could not take them home anytime you wanted, to see their grandparents. Imagine being called early in the morning and hearing the voice of one of the members of the congregation as they tell you their son has been killed in a motorcycle accident. Imagine losing the place of worship and for months having to move everything from one place to another so the congregation could continue to meet. Imagine day after day being the young wife and mother of a young minister and seeing him leave home at all times of the day and or night to minister to people in need to teach others about the love of Jesus.
Such is the life of Marvin and Gisela for the past seven years. As I listen to them, I stand amazed at their love and faith in our Lord. Oh for a faith like theirs! Even though it would be impossible, I wish that all could have the opportunity to have Marvin and his family spend a week with you. Your life would never be the same. Why on why is so hard for so many of us to trust so completely in the Lord? One of the members of the class I taught Wednesday night talked about a joy in the Lord in the face of adversity. His reference was to events in the life of Paul and some of the challenges he faced yet maintaining a joy in his life. It doesn’t take long in talking with Marvin that he understands the joy of being a child of God in good times as well as the challenging times.
I have looked forward to this day for some time. May each of us as we gather to worship today, focus on God and how he continues to provide servants who make a difference.
