family

Posted on April 18, 2002 by Dana

I met a wonderful family in the Czech Republic. After serving as missionaries for ten years, this father, mother, son, and daughter are moving back to the United States. As I sat at their kitchen table, I realized afresh the beauty of a family dedicated to God. Peace and love were in the home. These parents loved each other and knew for certain that God had blessed them with a beautiful son and daughter to raise in the Lord. As we talked about the changes a move would bring, I prayed the pace and distractions of our culture would not change the priorities already established in this home.

I’ve had a most amazing year. I’ve been able to teach and coach and travel. But do you know the moments most precious to me? Meals around our table… family devotionals… prayers before bedtime… No blessing outshines the blessing of family. I am so thankful for Susan and my three children and I want to spend my time with them in the wisest of ways.

As parents, we know many things are valuable, but we must determine what is most important. No matter what this world may say, the most important thing for any family is to sit at the feet of Jesus. He is the source of peace and love and wisdom and truth. And He loves our families.

“She (Martha) had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:39-42

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shine

Posted on April 11, 2002 by Dana

I witnessed an interesting thing in the Czech Republic last week. Each student from our school that went on the trip had been communicating by e-mail with a Czech student for the past couple of months. With great anticipation we visited their school and each student met his pen pal. What a beautiful thing it was to see teenagers from different cultures meet face to face.

I’m afraid we often take for granted the blessings we have in our land. While our students hear about God on a daily basis, our hosts have not had that privilege. The recent history of their land is full of difficulty. Few have been taught of a loving God who has created each of us for a purpose. Does this mean American kids are better than Czech kids? Of course not! God loves each of us with a love that is beyond our understanding.

Our students wanted to share this love during the week. Many found it quite challenging to share faith with new friends who had little knowledge of God. But something interesting happened as they spent time together. The best word to describe what I witnessed is “shine”. Through imperfect teenagers, God let Light shine. I doubt anyone would boast of our efforts, for we all felt quite inadequate. But we can trust that Jesus lives within those who put their faith in Him. And if Jesus lives, He will shine.

The last two nights we were together, we sang several songs of praise to our Father in heaven. As I looked around the room I marveled at what was taking place. Students who weren’t even sure there is a God were singing to Him. Many are praying that God will draw these dear people completely to Himself. But as we pray that God send revival throughout the world, let us remember the call Jesus gives His disciples and the interesting thing that results.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

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appreciation

Posted on March 28, 2002 by Dana

If you find yourself not being thankful for what you have, take steps to change. Go without food a couple of days and notice how much you appreciate a simple meal. Visit another country and gain a fresh appreciation for your land. A year with poor health gave me a new appreciation for the ability to simply live. I don’t want to take things for granted any more.

This week, the world remembers events we know are true: an innocent man being arrested in a garden, a carpenter’s son nailed to a cross, and a dead man coming back to life. Could we even imagine how dark this world would be if these things had not taken place? May we never lose appreciation.

This afternoon, Taylor and I leave with a group from school to visit the Czech Republic. We hope to share the life of Jesus with people who may not know Him. I won’t get to write next week. May Easter bring you much joy and hope as we thank God for His miracles.

“Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever . Amen!” (Revelation 7:12)

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courage

Posted on March 21, 2002 by Dana

Joe Marelle is a basketball coach in our county who has encouraged me greatly in this fight with cancer. He has fought the disease himself for over three years and many have admired him. An award is given at the end of each season to honor someone who has shown courage in a unique way. Knowing I was going out of town this past weekend, my close friend, Tim Vick, shared that two people were going to receive the Joe Marelle Courage Award on Saturday – and I was one of them.

I told Tim I really didn’t think I have been too courageous. In fact, I think I simply discovered what a wimp I am! But in accepting the award in my absence, Tim made some comments that have made me think. Ben Black, the player who received the award, recently lost his twin brother in a car accident, which he survived. Many of the people we view as courageous have simply found themselves in very difficult circumstances – circumstances not of their own choosing. Why did God tell Joshua to be ‘strong and courageous’ so many times? (see Joshua 1) He knew Joshua was about to go to battle – where courage would be required. If He tells us to be ‘strong and courageous’, we can expect His grace to help us obey.

Here are Tim’s kind words: “When I told Coach Davis he was going to be honored for the ‘courage’ award, he said, ‘Don’t call it courage…call it what it is…not having anywhere else to turn.’ But you see…what Coach Davis may not realize is that IS courage. In basketball games, courage is pretty simplistic…give 100% for your team. But in LIFE, the stakes are much higher. It means ACCEPTING THE CIRCUMSTANCES and then OVERCOMING THE FEAR. So why does one go through the crushing process of battling cancer? Dana tells me it wasn’t for himself (he was ready). But I know why. He did it for Susan, Taylor, Kinsey, Karlyn, and for all of us who depended on him. And that’s what courage is all about. Accepting whatever comes your way. Setting aside your fears. And considering others more than you do yourself. We’ve seen it in the life of Joe Marelle and we’ve seen it in the two that are honored today.”

People tell me we got a standing ovation. But Ben and I would both say (along with Joshua), “God deserves the applause.”

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

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Good Samaritan

Posted on March 14, 2002 by Dana

Jesus’ command to ‘love one another’ sounds simple enough until one realizes how he is to love. “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (Jn 15:12) When a person compares his own love to the perfect love of the Lord, he tends to go one of two directions. He either defends his imperfections and tries to justify himself or he admits his weakness and cries out for help, knowing the standard is beyond human reach.

An expert lawyer came to this place of realization after asking Jesus how to obtain eternal life. “What is written in the law?” Jesus replied. The lawyer gave a brilliant answer: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

But who does this? Who loves God or his fellow man in this perfect way? If eternal life depends on following this standard, how will anyone be saved? So do we admit our need or do we try to defend ourselves? The lawyer wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” In response to this question, Jesus told the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan.

Watchman Nee, a Chinese Christian who spent the last twenty years of his life in prison for his faith, taught that the meaning of this parable is our desperate need for a Savior. When I think about my life, I agree. I was on the road to destruction. I was assaulted by the enemy who hates us all. Religion came close to me, but it could not help. Though I heard the calls to try harder, I finally realized I was unable to live up to God’s perfect standards. How could I ever love God or my fellow man with this selfish heart? “What a wretched man I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”

But just when there seemed to be no hope, a Savior came. He was a Stranger from a far place, despised and rejected by most. He showed me mercy. He knew I was helpless and He knew what I needed – so He washed me with Oil and Wine.

I can try to justify myself all day long, but without the Wine there is no justification. I can try to live up to God’s perfect law all my life, but without the Oil, there is no hope. Keith Green sang the appropriate prayer: “What can be done for an old heart like mine? Soften it up with Oil and Wine. The Oil is You – Your Spirit of Love. Please wash me anew in the Wine of Your Blood.”

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly….Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Romans 5:5-9)

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