By Joe Widick
As a teenager, I wanted very much to be a part of what was going on at church. I was part of a basketball team that wore the name of our congregation. I was never very good, but I enjoyed trying to play and the experiences that came from playing. Like many congregations, we played in a church league. I was given the opportunity to play when we were way ahead or way behind. One night however several of the team members went to a place called “Youth Hobby Shop” to play basketball. It was an inner-city program to help the needy. The floor we played on was concrete, the group of boys we played against appeared to be a group of misfits. When the final bell rang and the game was over, we had been beaten like the proverbial drum. As we were leaving we were asked to stay to join them in a devotional. I will never forget setting down in a semi-circle with this group of misfits singing songs of praise to God. Towards the end of the devotional they sang a song that none of us knew. “How Great Thou Art” was introduced to me that night on a concrete floor in an inner city gym with a group of “misfits” who were singing from the heart. Take time to look at the words of the song. Try to imagine yourself in that setting. I don’t know what became of any of those “misfits.” I can not help but think that their lives were altered in a positive way because someone cared about them and taught them about a might and powerful God.
I don’t know what Wayne is going to say to us this morning. I do know that it is about a mighty showdown on Mount Carmel between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. Each time I read the story, or use it as an example in a lesson, or hear a sermon about it, I am reminded of how great our God is. I don’t think I will ever see God act as he did in this particular story. I can however, imagine the tremendous impact that it had on the people who witnessed the awesome power of our God. Because I will not have a Mount Carmel experience as Elijah had, I will be happy to settle with my own Mount Carmel experiences. They are in the form of seeing many of you bringing Magi Boxes to my office, or watching as you prepare for the community give-away, or hearing about a benevolent case where good was done, or learning of a one on one Bible study that is taking place, or seeing children come and be a part of a VBS learning about a “Night in Bethlehem” or seeing teachers go to class and share lessons that have been lovingly prepared, or remembering a time when I was introduced to “How Great Thou Art”
By Joe Widick
Tricia, Mary Margaret (my baby sister) and I have been overwhelmed with all the kindness shown us in the loss of our father. I am still getting 4-5 cards each day from Maple Hill family who have expressed there concern. It has been a rich blessing and has helped to reduce the pain. I feel compelled to share with you one of many events that have been so very special to me during this time.
It was Tuesday night, the night of visitation for my father. The line was long, the friends were many. I looked up and there was one of my doctors who had recently removed some cancer cells from my nose. We hugged and he expressed his condolences. Then he asked if we could go back in an empty room. The brief look he had of me while he was in line brought concern about the possibility of an infection. He told me he was going to go write a prescription for me and I could get it that night. In a world where it seems that more and more people care less about others, I had a most unique experience. Someone cared about me. I know that in our history there was a time when doctors would see you at home. Never though have I heard of a doctor making a funeral home call. The entire event probably would not happen in the larger cities. A week ago Monday my sisters and I made all the needed arrangements for our father’s funeral. Everywhere we went someone knew Tricia and I. They asked about our father, and how we were doing. There were expressions of concern for us. Mary Margaret lives in Brentwood. She was completely amazed. She said if we were doing this in Brentwood, we would simply be another customer.
I have seen the wisdom behind the words of the apostle Paul when he wrote; “Be kind and compassionate to one another” (Colossians 4:32). Because of your kindness and compassion towards me, I have been able move forward. Kindness is described as an active desire to recognize and meet the needs of others; a sincere desire for the happiness of others. I miss my daddy, but have been kindly reminded by so many of you that I have a lifetime of memories to hold on to. With each hug and kind word spoken, I felt the compassion of loving and caring people. It is hard to imagine what it would be like going through any tragedy without a church family to lean upon and sense their kindness and compassion. In I Corinthians 13 the apostle Paul writes extensively about love. As he does so, he lets us know that part of what love is, is being kind. As we go about being kind and compassionate to one another we draw comfort in doing what God has asked us to do. What a blessing!
By Joe Widick
Sunday was a difficult day. My sisters and I gave up our father. We are thankful for his life, guidance and love. Elaine and I were keeping over the weekend Faith and John Derrick. We also had our youngest granddaughter from Houston, Josie. What a comfort to have young happy children playing in the house. It meant more to me than their parents will ever know. I was sitting at the kitchen table with Faith who was showing me a video on the computer when all of a sudden we heard a buzz and flying by us was a June Bug. Faith shrieked not knowing what it was. She doesn’t like bugs! You can guess what happened from that point on. Elaine got the thread and we tied it to its hind leg. Our poor “deprived” grandchildren never had had the fun of flying a June Bug on a string. Once they saw there was no harm coming to them from this delightful little creature, they took the string and took turns letting it fly. In the midst of a sad day there was joy. It was though God was saying “Joe, you need this laughter and happiness in your life.” There is a passage in the book of Psalms where the psalmist is speaking about God. He says; “You have filled my heart with greater joy….I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalms 4:7-8). I can not help but think that just at the right time God sent a little June Bug into our life and for a time we laughed and played with this new found comfort. My heart was filled a great joy. When time came for all to go to bed, I was able to lay my head upon the pillow in peace.
To me it is interesting to note that all the fancy games and play things that children have can so easily be replaced with a yard of thread and one of God’s creatures. Maybe our world would be a better place if we spent more time in the simple things as oppose to all the technology we have. Take time to be with your children or grandchildren, instilling in them the values of life that are so important. Catch lightning bugs, play ball in the back yard, cut a watermelon together and enjoy time with one another. Maybe by doing these simple things we could make our homes a little stronger. Maybe we could help prepare the next generation to hold on to values that have seen us through. And above and beyond times like , be certain to include the Lord. Let Him be at the very heart of your family.
Monday morning John Derrick let the June Bug get away. We now have somewhere in our home a June Bug tied to a yard of thread. Maybe he is hiding, waiting for the next time he is needed.
By Joe Widick
July 1: II Corinthians 10-13
July 2: I Chronicles 1-2
July 3: I Chronicles 3-4
July 4: I Chronicles 5-6
July 5: I Chronicles 7-9
July 6: I Chronicles 10-12
July 7: I Chronicles 13-16
July 8: I Chronicles 17-19
July 9: I Chronicles 20-23
July 10: I Chronicles 24-26
July 11: I Chronicles 27-29
July 12: II Chronicles 1-4
July 13: II Chronicles 5-7
July 14: II Chronicles 8-11
July 15: II Chronicles 12-16
July 16: II Chronicles 17-20
July 17: II Chronicles 21-24
July 18: II Chronicles 25-28
July 19: II Chronicles 29-31
July 20: II Chronicles 32-34
July 21: II Chronicles 35-36
July 22: Galatians 1-3
July 23: Galatians 4-6
July 24: Ezra 1-4
July 25: Ezra 5-7
July 26: Ezra 8-10
July 27: Ephesians 1-3
July 28: Ephesians 4-6
July 29: Nehemiah 1-3
July 30: Nehemiah 4-7
July 31: Nehemiah 8-10
