Category: family

My friend passed away last Thursday afternoon. Mark is with Jesus now, but he will be missed by many throughout the world.

Cleaning out an office drawer as we prepare for summer, I ran across this hand-written note from a Kindergarten-age Kinsey, shortly after she and her brother had gotten in trouble for not getting along: “I love you so much dad that I can not be mene to taylor in e more. Love, Kinsey.” Our little girl taught me that a great love for my Father in heaven should impact the way I treat all His children.

Watching Karlyn walk across the stage a couple of weeks ago brought flashbacks of a ‘little girl’ befriending African children as a world traveler at a young age. As a college student she had opportunity to do the same thing while living in Africa several months. I smile at the passion God has put in her.

I’ve told John and my 83 seventh grade boys on more than one occasion that I often look at one-year-old Wilkes and wonder what he’ll be like when he’s twelve or thirteen. I told them I also wonder what they will be like when they are as old as Taylor who is now twenty-nine.

As we close another writing season, I’m reflecting on children – not just my own, but the children of the world. The picture of Jesus that should attract any person anywhere is the smiling Son of Man opening His arms to the little ones while scolding those who thought He was too busy.

“People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13-16)

When we visit our friends in Ecuador in a couple of weeks, we’re hoping to assist disciples of Jesus to help the children of their land. Please pray for these children. When I wished the Hunters Godspeed as they flew back to Namibia a few days ago, I thought of the beautiful children of Community Hope School and God’s great love for them. John said, “We’ll get all the children to pray for you Dana, as you go through your cancer stuff.” I’m grateful these children have prayed such prayers for many years.

Children remind us of God. And God reminds us to think highly of children. I pray you have a great summer! Thanks for your friendship and prayers!!

“He took a child and had him stand among them. ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me but the One who sent Me.’” Mark 9:36-37

Our youngest daughter Karlyn graduated from Harding University Saturday with a major in early childhood education. We had a great celebration. Susan and I are so proud of her!

In a month, God willing, the three of us, John, and twelve other friends are going to Ecuador to work with Pastor Manuel and his family and church. We hope to help with the construction of a building that will serve as a ministry location for the children of Cajabamba. For years this family has used their own rented apartment in town, but a better location is needed.

A small piece of property has been purchased and exciting plans are being made. Our church and several other friends have helped a bit financially, and now we hope to lend a helping hand for a week.

Pastor Manuel and his family unselfishly serve the children and the Body of Christ in Cajabamba and in over thirty communities in the Andes Mountains. Without many of the things we take for granted (such as a car), this family unceasingly serves the poor and disenfranchised with the love of Christ, treating each person with dignity and respect.

If anyone would like to contribute to the building project, we plan to bring a generous donation. Checks made to Community Church can be mailed to 4707 Kellogg Dr, Lilburn, GA, 30047. Or anyone with a PayPal account can give online thru communitycofc1@gmail.com. All contributions are tax deductible. If you would like more information about Rescate Missions in Ecuador, just reply to this email.

The note I wrote Karlyn in a graduation book Susan bought her included the wonderful message in I John 3:1 to God’s children all over the world. Just as we want our children to better comprehend the love we have for them, I think God wants us all to better understand the depth of His great love for us.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!”
I John 3:1

Taylor and Emma hosted a wonderful party this past weekend for Wilkes’ first birthday. Earlier the same day, Kinsey and Jordan saw their little one, weighing approximately 1.5 pounds, in a 4D ultrasound. My prayer for both grandsons is not only that their parents love, protect, and teach them and that friends and family do their part, but that Jesus will reveal Himself to these boys He has created for His glory.

One of the lesser-known books written by C. S. Lewis in the Chronicles of Narnia series tells the story of Shasta trying to escape a cruel stepfather in a foreign land with a talking horse from Narnia. My favorite part of “The Horse and His Boy” is when the great Lion Aslan, who represents Jesus in all the books, makes Himself known to the boy.

As most of us have done in low moments, Shasta laments all the difficulties of his life and concludes he must be the unluckiest boy anywhere. Then he realizes he is not alone. Riding his horse in a fog that prevents Shasta from seeing the great Lion, Aslan shares perfect knowledge of every complaint the boy had registered. In fact, He revealed He had been present at each instance.

“’Who are you?’ asked Shasta. ‘Myself,’ said the Voice, very deep and low so that the ground shook: and again ‘Myself,’ loud and clear and gay: and then a third time ‘Myself,’ whispered so softly you could hardly hear it, and yet it seemed to come from all around as if leaves rustled with it.”

As the mist began to lift and a strange whiteness appeared, “Shasta turned and saw, pacing beside him, taller than the horse, a Lion. The horse did not seem to be afraid of it or else could not see it. It was from the Lion that the light came. No one ever saw anything more terrible or beautiful… After one glance at the Lion’s face Shasta slipped out of the saddle and fell at its feet. He couldn’t say anything but then he didn’t want to say anything, and he knew he needn’t say anything.”

What does it profit a boy if he has everything on earth a boy could want but never meets the Lion?

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:16-19

Quotes from “The Horse and His Boy” by C.S. Lewis, ©1954 by C.S. Lewis Limited

Reaping is the fun part. Preparing the soil, planting, tending, weeding, watering… these are reasons people don’t plant gardens.

John and I planted a garden last spring at Taylor’s house. He has a great location in his backyard where the previous owner was known for growing prize vegetables.

Not so with us. We started off strong with rows of tomato plants, peppers, and squash… we dreamed of the harvest. Taylor watered the garden faithfully and when little green tomatoes started showing, we all got excited.

The problem came one summer day when I noticed a large green tomato half eaten. “Taylor, we have a problem,” I moaned. The next time I visited I saw a critter running away from our plants. John had the solution: “Dana, we gotta get a trap.” So that’s what we did and the next day Taylor sent me a picture of the defeated culprit.

“Great job, men!” I encouraged, but sadly our enemy had friends and before we knew it, 90% of our tomatoes were gone. We were disheartened to say the least. To make matters worse, Kinsey sent pictures of several nice tomatoes she and Jordan grew in their backyard in Birmingham.

Our experience makes me not take for granted my parents’ wonderful summer gardens. When we visit and my mom asks me to go pick some ears of corn or okra or tomatoes, I have a renewed appreciation for the work that took place before the reaping.

Jesus used such language to talk about the Kingdom of God: “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying, ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefit of their labor.” (John 4:35-38)

God wants us to do our part. If we are to sow His Word, we should share with faith, love, and enthusiasm. If we are to water, we should realize the necessity of our assignment and be faithful. If we are to stand against the enemy, we should pray in the Spirit with God’s armor in place, knowing the devil wants to destroy anything that leads to the Father. And if we get to reap, we should remember that others have participated in the harder parts of the process and that God deserves all the glory.

“Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers…” I Corinthians 3:7-9

My dad finished a graduate class on Friday at noon then drove from Little Rock to Searcy, Arkansas in time to marry my mom. It was a small wedding that took place in the home of the one that performed the ceremony. There was no wedding cake; there were no huge festivities.  They only had the weekend for a honeymoon, but the vows shared before God and man have endured sixty years.

We celebrated this week with a houseful of family members, a fine meal, and a wedding cake. Rex and Barbara have touched many, many lives and it was a delight to honor them. When you think of the beauty of a young couple loving one another, raising a family, being a blessing to their community, and giving all glory to God, you see the will of our Father in heaven… a Father who loves celebration.

Happy New Year!

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of Your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and I will meditate on Your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of Your awesome works, and I will proclaim Your great deeds. They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness.” Psalm 145:3-7