Journaling My Journey

BLESSINGS PASSED ON

2012-02-01T12:15:00.000-08:00

Every 5th Sunday at Berean we have a Scripture memory night when we quote Scripture we have been memorizing. I had been working on Psalm 103 and quoted it Sunday night. There are many blessings in this psalm which exhorts us to bless the Lord. I was especially blessed with vs. 15-18 [15] As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
[16] For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
[17] But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
[18] To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
In spite of our brief life, the blessing of the Lord's mercies go on and on. If we fear Him, we experience His mercies, but it doesn't stop there, His mercies go on to the grandchildren, if they will walk in His ways. It is my fervent desire to bless the grandchildren by fearing the Lord. It is my prayer that you grandchildren will walk in His ways and pass the blessing on to those after you. Bless the Lord O my soul!

RESULTS FOR 2011

2012-01-02T16:04:00.000-08:00

I challenged the family at the beginning for those who wanted to, to record miles walked or run and Bible reading. Here are the results at the end of the year:
Rog - 1065 miles, Mary - 1234 miles
Roger - 197 miles, DeeDee 247 miles, Taylor - 10 miles, Brittany - 20 miles, Dawson - 119 miles, Cooper - 8 miles
Julie - 156 miles, Owen - 123 miles, Malia - 90 miles, Meredith - 86 miles, Brooklyn - 24 miles
June - 1020 miles, Damon - 800 miles, Maggie - 250 miles, Micah - 174, Evan - 143 miles, Eli - 100 miles, Molly - 72 miles
Elisa - 800 miles, John - 128 miles, Trey - 156 miles, Avery - 60 miles, Ethan - 21 miles, Raegan - 8 miles
Susan - 627 miles, Brendon - 150 miles, Caleb - 150 miles, Trevin - 140 miles, Meryn - 177 miles
Those reporting reading through the Bible: Rog, Mary, June & Julie
Those reporting reading the new Testament: Damon, Maggie, Micah, Evan, Owen & Malia
I trust the challenge helped us on to the GOAL.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

REFLECTING ON 2011

2011-12-31T18:48:00.000-08:00

At the close of 2011 I want to share some thoughts as I look back. This has been a really good year for Mary and me. We have enjoyed each other in an increasing way. We have spoken the blessing of Numbers 6:24-26 to each other every morning. We have walked and ran together over 1000 miles. We have read through the Bible together and enjoyed eating out together until Mary went on this high protein diet. But, we will endure that. Our times of prayer have been good. God continues to use us in the lives of those He sends our way. We have sensed God's blessing on the church. He has given us wonderful people. We have had special times with family. Our "Camp Gramma" at the YMCA of the Rockies was very memorable for all of the family. We had a great time with Mary's cousins at a reunion at our home. Mary's mom, who lives with us, continues to be in good health. We also had an opportunity to visit my dad's family at our reunion in Iowa. Greg and I built "Gramma's Perch" on our cut off pine tree that pleases Mary in a big way. We have made a practice of accepting what God has for us each morning and resisting what Satan plans, and I can say that is has been an outstanding year, and God gets all the praise.

NOVEMBER RESULTS

2011-12-07T06:50:00.000-08:00

Only one more month to bug our kids for their results. This has been quite a deal for very busy families. Here is what I have through November.
Roger - 1035 miles, Mary - 1210 miles
Roger - 197 miles, DeeDee - 214 miles, Dawson - 118.5
Julie - 149 miles, Owen - 119 miles, Malia - 85 miles, Merideth - 80.5 miles, Brooklyn - 21 miles
Damon - 751 miles, June - 941 miles, Maggie - 214 miles, Micah - 160 miles, Evan - 132 miles, Eli - 92 miles, Molly - 61 miles
John - 128.4 miles, Elisa - 706.4 miles, Trey - 156.1 miles, Avery - 54.2 miles, Ethan - 20.6 miles, Reagan - 18 miles
Susan - 595 miles, Brendon - 137 miles, Caleb - 140 miles, Trevin - 130 miles, Meryn - 165 miles

FUN IN MEMPHIS

2011-12-07T05:17:00.000-08:00

June and Lisa signed up to run the marathon in Memphis on December 3. Mary and I decided to go and support them, so we signed up to run the 5K. June had her 40th birthday on Nov. 30 and wanted to celebrate by doing a marathon. Lisa ran one 15 years ago and wanted to try it again. June had injuries in both feet, so it looked impossible for her to do it. BUT, June is very tenacious and completed her first marathon. Lisa did well in her run. We are very proud of these gals and had a great deal of fun running the 5K and cheering our daughters on in their race. All our children are such a blessing from the Lord, and it is "fun" to be with them and join in their challenges when we can.

ENCOURAGEMENT ON HALLOWEEN

2011-11-01T19:57:00.000-07:00

October 31 was the last day of Pastor Appreciation month. I want to journal about how God encouraged me. On Sunday October 30, I spoke on the importance of the Christian being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might and the importance of putting on the armor. The end of October is always dark because of the honor given to the kingdom of darkness by the use of all the symbols and observances relating to darkness. I woke up on the 31st being harassed with all sorts of belittling thoughts. Though I do know how to handle that sort of attack, it still had its effect on me. That day I received three calls from totally unexpected sources that greatly encouraged me. It was as if God told them what I needed, without them knowing anything of my need. I don't believe they called to encourage me, but that was the effect. And then there was a card that said things that reached the deepest need I had. I marveled at the insight in that card. I must say I stood amazed at what happened that day. It was as if God had come in those three calls and the card to address every fiery dart that had come my way. And it all took place on Halloween. Thank you Lord!

TWO MONTHS TO GO

2011-11-01T18:52:00.000-07:00

Here is the update on miles through October.
Roger - 1010.5, Mary - 1194
Roger - 197, DeeDee - 187, Dawson - 118.5
Julie - 137, Owen - 119, Malia - 85, Meredith - 77, Brooklyn - 20
Damon - 731, June - 867, Maggie - 191, Micah - 153, Evan - 126, Eli - 90, Molly - 57
John - 117.1, Elisa - 618.3, Trey - 154.6, Avery - 51.7, Ethan - 18.1, Reagan - 6
Susan - 515, Brendon - 127, Caleb - 130, Trevin - 120, Meryn - 155
Keep it up guys!

GOAL REALIZED

2011-10-27T21:24:00.000-07:00

This past January I made a commitment to walk or run 1000 miles during the year, I had no idea of how I would do, but I was determined to do it. What I have learned is how important it is to stay with a thing in order to finish. It also gave Mary and me a lot of time together, which was special. I reached the goal on October 26. I recorded walking and running 217 days averaging about 4.6 miles on those days. I am thankful for God's prompting and grace to keep me going. It has been a special journey for me.

SEPTEMBER MILES

2011-10-03T17:33:00.000-07:00

This is the report of miles through September.
Roger - 949, Mary - 1139
Roger - 181, DeeDee - 140, Dawson - 113.5
Julie - 127, Owen - 97, Malia - 72, Merideth - 66
Damon - 664, June - 781, Maggie - 165, Micah - 142, Evan - 114, Eli - 80
John - 112.4, Elisa - 534.2, Trey - 137.2, Avery - 47, Ethan - 13.9, Reagan - 3
Susan - 475, Brendon - 118.5, Caleb - 120.5, Trevin - 112, Meryn - 142
There are still three months to go!

AUGUST REPORT - A LONG HOT SUMMER!

2011-09-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

In January I challenged the family on walking and running for the year as well as reading through the Bible or for the younger ones, the New Teastament. I think till the end of the year I will just report the miles. Just let me know if you complete the whole Bible or the New Teastament. This summer has been exceedingly hot, but progress has been made.
Roger - 873 miles, Mary - 1058 miles (Congratulations to Mary - Good job!)
Roger - 153 miles, DeeDee - 104 miles, Dawson - 108 miles
Julie - 112 miles, Owen - 78 miles, Malia - 62 miles, Meredith - 55 miles
June - 771 miles, Damon - 561 miles, Maggie - 150 miles, Micah - 132 miles, Evan - 103 miles
Elisa - 451.5 miles, John - 104.4 miles, Trey - 97.2 miles, Avery - 42 miles, Ethan - 8.4 miles
Susan - 378 miles, Bendon - 102 miles, Caleb - 104 miles, Trevin - 82 miles, Meryn - 127 mile
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

JULY REPORT - OVER 5000 MILES

2011-08-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

Here is what we have at the end of July. Those keeping track logged 5161 miles
Roger 767 miles, Mary 935 miles We are reading through the Bible
Roger 146 miles, DeeDee 65 miles, Dawson 105 miles
Julie 112 miles, Owen 78 miles, Malia 62 miles, Meredith 55 miles, Julie is reading through the Bible, Owen and Malia the NT
Damon 453 miles, June 700 miles, Maggie 134 miles, Micah 113 miles Evan 91 miles Eli 44 miles, Molly 33 miles Damon, June and Maggie are reading through the Bible and Micah and Evan the NT.
John 83.9 miles, Elisa 411.7 miles, Trey 80.6 miles, Avery 38 miles and Ethan 5 miles
Susan 320 miles, Brendon 77 miles, Caleb 79 miles, Trevin 71 miles and Meryn 102 miles KEEP ON KEEPING ON!

CAMP GRAMMA 2011 (July 30-August 3)

2011-08-05T20:13:00.000-07:00

This year we did our Camp Gramma at the YMCA of the Rockies at Estes Park. Everyone was able to attend except Taylor(37). It was a blessing to have the cool weather while it was so hot in Kansas. Our theme was "Following God's Leading" centered on Proverbs 3:5-6. I was very pleased with the cooperation from all of the family. Some of the activity highlights were, the 800 ft. zip line, wall climbing, archery and a trip over Trail Ridge Road. We pray that God will use this special time in our grandchildren's lives.

JUNE REPORT - WE ARE HALF WAY THERE

2011-07-02T15:42:00.000-07:00

This is the report I have recieved with the year half over:
Roger and Mary - Roger 682.5 miles, Mary 821.5 miles. Up to date on reading through the Bible
Roger and DeeDee - Roger 131 miles, Dawson 100.2 miles.
Julie and Phil - Owen and Malia almost caught up on the NT, Julie is working on reading through the Bible.
June and Damon - Damon 348.1 miles, June 615 miles, Maggie 114 miles, Micah 98 miles, Evan 65 miles. Damon, June and Maggie are reading through the Bible, Micah and Evan the NT & Eli is plowing through Genesis. (Bless him)
Elisa and John - John 83.9 miles, Elisa 370.4 miles, Trey 80.6 miles, Avery 37.4 miles, Ethan 4 miles.
Susan and Greg - Susan 250 miles, Brendon 61 miles, Caleb 65 miles, Trevin 59 miles and Meryn 82 miles.
THANKS FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING!

May - Exercise Is Paying Off

2011-06-01T20:14:00.000-07:00

It is time to update our progress on the goal for 2011. I just had blood work checked and the results are the best they have been for many years. I am very pleased. The following are the results reported to me.
Roger & Mary - Roger 541 miles, Mary 677 miles. We are up to date reading through the Bible.
Damon & June - Damon 247.5 miles, June 528 miles, Maggie 100 miles, Micah 61 miles, Evan 46 miles, June, Damon & Maggie are working on the whole Bible; Micah & Evan are working on the New Testament
Greg & Susan - Susan 210 miles, Brendon 56 miles, Caleb 60 miles, Trevin 54 miles, Meryn 67 miles
John & Elisa - John 76.9 miles, Elisa 326.4 miles, Trey 79.6 miles, Avery 37.5 miles, Ethan 3 miles. Working on Bible reading
Roger & DeeDee - Roger 126 miles, Dawson 95.2 miles
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

APRIL UPDATE

2011-05-01T14:12:00.000-07:00

I have checked in with the reporting families and this is where we stand.
Roger and Mary: Roger - 381 miles, Mary - 504 miles, We are still on schedule with our Bible reading.
Roger and DeeDee: Roger - 112 miles, Dawson - 71.2 miles, Brittany - 19.6 miles,Taylor - 9.6 miles, Cooper - 7.9 miles
John and Elisa: John - 71.9 miles, Elisa - 265 miles, Trey - 71.6 miles,
Avery - 33 miles Bible reading behind but still moving.
Damon and June: Damon - 180 miles, June - 410 miles, Maggie - 69 miles
Still reading through the Bible, the kids are behind, but working at it.
Greg and Susan: Susan - 180 miles, Brendon - 44 miles, Caleb - 45 miles,
Trevin - 45 miles, Meryn - 57 miles
Phil and Julie: Julie says ditto for March.
It is amazing how fast the month goes by. Some good catching up this month.

CLIMBING A MOUNTAIN

2011-04-19T20:13:00.000-07:00

I don't consider myself a mountain climber, but I have climbed West Spanish Peak a couple of times. I can relate my 1000 mile goal to those experiances. You begin with enthusiasm and it soon becomes real work. What it takes is staying at it and not quitting. As V.R. Edaman would say, "Quitting make a dead end to any road, It is always to soon to quit". The peak, the goal always looks so far off, but if you look back, it is always amazing to see how far you have come. For the first 10 days of April, I was ill and not able to make progress. The end looked a long way off. I have been back at it and today I reached 334 miles or 1/3 the way to the top. That encourages me. So much of life is like that. You begin something with enthusiasm and the the real work begins with a temptation to quit. I repeat if the thing was worth beginning then it is TOO SOON TO QUIT. It is the discipline of determination. One of my grandchildren may be in a situation where you are tempted to quit. Keep your eye on the goal, ask Jesus for strength to continue on and sometimes look back and see how far you have come. IT IS ALWAYS TOO SOON TOO QUIT!

March Update, For My Sake

2011-04-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

It is time to report on our progress toward the 2011 goal. Not every one is involved, but I’m happy to report what is given to me. This goal is probably more for me than any one else in the family. I have been down sick this week and it would be easy to forget all this exercise, but I have made myself accountable, so I guess I better get back with it next week. Oh well, maybe someone else will profit also. I don’t want it to be like so many resolutions that are forgotten by February or March. We will see what April brings. (BY HIS GRACE!)
Roger & Mary: Roger-291 miles, Mary-357 miles We are on schedule with Bible reading.
Roger & DeeDee: Roger -38.2 miles, Brittany-18 miles, Dawson-20.4 miles, Cooper-4.2 miles
Damon & June: Damon – 107 miles, June – 310 miles, Maggie - 60 miles
Damon, June and Maggie still reading the whole Bible
Micah and Evan are still reading the New Testament
John & Elisa: Johnny and I have fallen a little behind on the Bible reading but are going to be trying to catch up in April. Trey is a little behind but on better track than his mom and dad. Avery has fallen behind too but will be trying to catch up reading the new testament...our miles are
John- 62.4, Elisa-217.7, Trey-47.1, Avery -holding steady at 29 :)
Greg & Susan: Bendon-22 miles, Caleb-23 miles, Trevin-40 miles, Meryn-42 mile
Phil & Julie: Julie-15 miles, Owen - 29 miles, Malia - 24.5 miles, Meredith -11.5 miles
Owen & Malia reading NT - Julie reading OT/NT - we all are a little behind but still reading

ARE WE CUTE?

2011-03-10T08:46:00.000-08:00

Recently Mary and I quoted part of Isaiah 40 together at church and the people clapped when we were finished. Karen spoke up and said,"they did not clap for me". I said it was because we are cute. (laughter) Jack said "Mary may be cute but you aren't". So I said, let me tell you the story. We were walking at the arena recently, holding hands. A nice young lady said, "that is so cute". Now, I have always thought that cute was reserved for little children or for the elderly. So, I was not sure it was a compliment. Last Saturday night we ate at a restaurant, and when we were finished, Mary got an ice cream cone. She offered me a bite and our waitress said, "that is so cute!". This is getting a little out of hand. We are trusting we are not appearing that ELDERLY. I will update if this continues.

FEBRUARY TAKES ITS TOLL

2011-03-01T08:17:00.000-08:00

It is time to report progress on the 2011 goal. I think February must have been difficult for staying on task. There is plenty of time before the end of the year for catching up. The following is what I have received:
Roger and Mary: Roger-175 miles, Mary-222 miles, we are up to date on reading through the Bible.
Duehrings: Damon-47 miles, June-220 miles & Maggie-55 miles, Damon, June& Maggie are on track reading through the Bible, Micah & Evan are on track reading the New Testament.
Seabas: John-33.2 miles, Elisa-164.6 miles, Trey-23.5 miles, Avery-22.5 miles Elisa, John & Trey are up to date reading through the Bible and Avery is in the NT.
Lankers Greg-38 miles, Susan-45 miles, Meryn-16 miles, Greg and Susan are working on catching up in Bible reading.
Veers Julie plans on catching up on Bible reading in March. If others let me know I will edit the post. I remember what it was like in the business of raising a family. I will look for a good report at the end of March.

A BUSY JANUARY

2011-02-01T08:42:00.000-08:00

I am taking this opportunity to report on progress in the 2011 Goal. I am only reporting what has been given to me.
ROGER & MARY Roger-107 miles Mary-137 miles We are reading the Bible on RBC plan
VEERS Owen-3.5 miles Malia-3.5 miles They are reading the NT Julie-the Bible
DUEHRINGS June-178 miles Damon-17 miles They are reading the Bible, Maggie-51 miles
Micah-9 miles Molly-4 miles Maggie is reading the Bible, Micah & Evan NT
SEABAS Elisa-154 miles John-32 miles They are reading the Bible, Trey-22.5 miles
Avery-21.5 miles Ethan-12.5 miles Trey and Avery are reading the Bible
LANKERS Susan-25 miles Greg-35 miles They are reading the Bible Brendon-3.6 miles
Caleb-2.15 miles Trevin-19 miles Meryn-11 miles Brendon & Caleb are
reading the Bible Trevin the NT
J.Neirs John & Melanie are reading the Bible
THANKS FOR REPORTING IN. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF WE CAN KEEP IT UP THROUGH 2011

GRADUATION

2011-01-26T11:31:00.000-08:00

I have decided to write this blog before I am any older and still in good health. Unless we have the joy of being caught up in the rapture, the day of death will come. I believe we have the joy of being close to our grandchildren, but that makes death even more of a trauma. When that day comes it is so important to be able to see it as "graduation". I have had two small visions that have left an impression on me. They were brief, but very real and the picture I saw was indelibly imprinted on my memory. The first was shortly after my dad died. I saw him and I would judge that he appeared about age thirty. He appeared to be so happy. I remember him having that look when he was really pleased about something. It left me with a lasting impression of his present happiness. The second was seeing a grandson who seemed to be in his early thirties or late twenties. I didn't recognize him, but I knew who he was and he was a very handsome man. I was in the picture in bed, but not very distinct. I assumed I was about finished with my time here. From our perspective here death is always a sad thing because of separation and the weakness that accompanies it. I want my grandchildren to know that when that time comes; It will be GRADUATION. I will be happy, even as I had that impression about my dad. You grandchildren will have life before you and a mission to complete. Rejoice in the blessed hope we have in Christ, "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord".

2011 Challenge to Family

2011-01-16T13:07:00.000-08:00

As I was walking and running at the arena early this month, I had an inspiring thought. Why not set a goal of running and walking 1000 miles in 2011. My next thought was, why not challenge the family to that goal. I have always found that if I am more disciplined physically it helps me be on track spiritually. I passed that on to the family with a financial incentive. Then the Lord reminded me of I Timothy 4:8 "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." Therefore I added reading through the Bible in the year also. I added some smaller goals so the grandchildren could get involved as well. It ended up as follows:
$100 reading through the Bible
$30 reading through the New Testament
$100 for 1000 miles of purposed walking or running
$50 for 500 miles of the same
$25 for 250 miles of the same
Must be completed by Dec. 31, 2011
God has encouraged me to invest in the family. I trust this is helpful. May God bless our family.

A TEST FOR MY KNEE

2010-11-19T20:34:00.000-08:00

On October 16th quite a number of our family were involved in the Waddell&Reed Marathon in KC. Mary and I signed up for the 5K. Our son, Roger did it with us to encourage us.It was good to be able to do that with Mary after the knee surgery. Here we are after the run.

ONE YEAR LATER

2010-11-19T20:02:00.000-08:00

One year ago today I had surgery to repair an ACL. As I reflect on this past year I have much to be grateful for. When I injured my knee, Roger drove across Missouri to take me to Blue Springs. In the morning Julie took me from Roger's home to Lisa who then drove me to Hutchinson. Julie and Susan helped Mary with the Thanksgiving meal. I am so blessed with our family. They are there when you need them. Mary was super help in getting me back on my feet. She is a wonderful help mete. Our car insurance paid the medical bills and God had a wonderful surgeon in our church in time for the need. God has been gracious and my knee seems as good as new. I am sure I learned more patience and more understanding for those in pain. I am more thoughtful of avoiding those kind of accidents. It brought me closer to Brady, the fellow I was helping that day. There is no doubt good that God has worked that I haven't yet recognized. When I declare daily to the Lord that I accept all that He plans for that day, I realize I may not like all of it, but I have no hesitation for I know His plans are good. One year later I am grateful for His healing.

STILL STANDING

2010-09-23T20:54:00.000-07:00

Whenever we make it to the meadow near LaVeta,CO we check on the trees we have labeled with the year we were there. Here is a picture of "our" tree and the one for the Tuckers. It is always good to see the Aspen standing tall and strong.

A TIME TO REMINISCE

2010-09-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

Mary and I spent some time in Colorado last week (September 2010). We spent several days in the Spanish Peaks area where we have visited for many years. We have friends who have let us use their cabin over the years. Our times there date back over 30 years. There are so many memories there with our children and also Mary's parents. It is a good thing to return to areas where God has given you special memories and remember His faithfulness. We spent devotional times by the mountain stream where we spent times in the past. Our son Roger and I prayed and wept there over some heartaches in his life. One of those was the onset of rheumatoid arthritis that he was battling. God has healed him from that. We are so grateful. We visited our tree in the meadow about a mile upstream. We have been carving the years on the tree over the years. Mom and Dad Tucker made it to the meadow several times and also had a tree. We had worship times together several times. Dad Tucker has now "gone higher".
God is a faithful God and has demonstrated that to our family in so many ways. It was so good to take some time to reminisce. That has been such a special place to our family. We are grateful to our friends for making that available to us.

I HEARD THEIR CRIES

2010-07-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

Something today reminded me of something God began to do in my heart during my last semester at seminary and the first part of the summer of 1966 as I was working in Chicago. Every once in a while it was as if I heard crying somewhere far away. I remember inquiring of God, "What is that all about?" I did sense it had something to do with my future and ministry, but beyond that I didn't know. Later that summer I received the call to teach at Central Christian in Hutchinson, KS. I thought maybe it would be the students there, but that was not it. God later got me involved in helping broken victims of abuse and ritualization. Now I knew where the cries were coming from. It has not been an easy work to help these to freedom in Christ, but it has been very rewarding. God said of His people to Moses, I have heard their cries and I will send you to bring them to freedom. I thank God I heard their cries and have been able to help some find relief and freedom. May I have a heart like His to hear the cries of hurting people.

Camp Gramma 2010

2010-07-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

We have just concluded our sixth year of "Camp Gramma". We want you grandchildren to know in the days to come about our motivation. It is our desire to provide some fun things for you. We also want you to know that you are important to us, so we sleep with you in your tents. This year was different. Because of 5 inches of rain before we started, we housed you boys in the garage and you girls in the basement. We love to be WITH you. Our main motivation is to have a time to share our hearts desire for you to grow up and walk with God. As we prayed about a theme for this year, we were impressed with the importance of having the fear of God in your lives. We chose the theme from Hagar; Thou God Seest Me with the theme verse from Deuteronomy 5:29, O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever. We shared with you the wonderful promises for those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways. We know that you precious kids will face various temptations in the days to come, but if you are aware that God's eyes are on you and that you fear the Lord, you can come through those temptations in victory. We are committed to pray that God will develop the fear of the Lord in your lives. We are grateful that your parents are training you to walk with the Lord. We just want to lend our supporting voice with theirs. God bless you dear grandchildren!

OVERCOMING EVIL

2010-06-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

We are familiar with Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." It is a wonderful thing God does when He is given something that is very painful and destructive and then weaves it into a thing of beauty in our lives.
When Andrew Murray faced a painful thing that came into his life he penned these words. He brought me here, It is by His will that I am in this difficult place. Next He will keep me here and give me grace to behave as His child. Then He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He means me to learn. Last He will bring me out in His time. Let me say I am here by God's will, in His keeping, under His training, for His time.
I remember Bill Gothard doing a chalk drawing in his seminar that made quite an impression on me. He did a beautiful drawing and then took a heavy black chalk and made a large black mark across the drawing, and then proceeded to incorporate that black mark to make an even more beautiful drawing. He pointed out that God can take those destructive things that come into our lives and produce greater beauty.
Satan brought one of those destructive black marks into our life. I feel a responsibility to testify to God's grace in taking that thing and producing a beauty that I doubt would have ever been in our lives without that black mark. It is truly amazing what God can do with that which is placed into His hands.
I am not saying that God purposed that black mark, but I am saying that God has taken it and produced a thing of beauty beyond the ordinary.
The awful treatment by Joseph's brothers opened the way for God to do a wonderful thing in Joseph's life and in his family. Joseph's godly response opened the way to a thing of beauty. Joseph told his brothers after God's mighty working in his family: "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass as it is this day to save much people alive." Gen. 50:20
If some painful thing comes into your life, place it into God's hands and allow Him to weave it into His greater plan for your life. "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

GOD LED ME TO BEREAN

2010-06-12T18:19:00.000-07:00

I just returned from our Saturday night prayer time at Berean Baptist Church. It so happened I was the only one tonight. Now days there are 2-4, but this was a rare occasion. I found myself thinking back over the years and what has taken place there. It was probably 40 years ago this fall that I was asked to fill the pulpit on a Sunday morning. Then they asked me back on Wednesday night and here I am 40 years later. Berean is a small place, but much has taken place there. I read years ago: "Is your place a small place, tend it with care, God set you there". I would never have dreamed then, that I would still be there so many years later. I thought of some of the special privileges God has given me there. It seemed God was helping me reminisce.
It was there that our children were dedicated to the Lord
It was there I had the privilege of baptizing them.
I baptized my mom and dad there.
I married our four daughters there.
I married our dad to John's mother-in -law.
I married my sister to Don.
It was there that God opened my eyes to the spiritual battle.
That opened up a ministry that has become a part of the churches ministry
We have seen some of our people head to the mission field.
This "small place" has been of significant blessing my life and in my families life. I am grateful for what God has done there. I have learned how important it is to wait on God's leading. It is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps. Whatever God has accomplished there, He is to be credited.

MAKING COMMITMENTS

2010-05-26T12:17:00.000-07:00

Forty-three years ago tomorrow, Mary and I stood in front of Salina Bible Church and vowed to one another before God. We made our commitment to each other, but we also made out commitment to God. We were very grateful that God had led our paths together to be husband and wife and desired that we would honor Him with our marriage. At the close of the wedding ceremony we sang the following duet as our commitment to Him. "O may our life be to Thy praise O Father, In all we do may Thou be magnified; Thou chosest us before the world's foundation, Thine own to be, that Thou be glorified. To glorify Thee, this is our prayer; Work out thy purpose, Thy plan to share; A yielded vessel, Thine own to be, Thy praise and glory, to live for Thee."
Over the past 43 years Satan has challenged this commitment, but God has faithfully kept that sacred commitment before us. I am so grateful for Mary and the family God has given us. In the days that God yet gives us we are trusting Him to keep us faithful to our commitment.

God Protected Our Family

2010-04-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

Sunday night June 14,1982, we took the family to Lake Cheney to camp in our tent. We had all of our children and our son John was a toddler. During the night a storm moved in from across the lake. I tried to listen to the radio for a weather forecast but the static made it impossible. I thought about loading up the family in the car and move to a safer place, but I saw that the storm was already on us. I asked our son, Roger to help hold against the side of the tent from inside to keep it from collapsing. It was then that we noticed the tent was puffed out in all directions like a balloon. We were in a tornado. We huddled together in the middle of the tent and I remember praying,"Lord Help us!" It was soon over and we were safe. As we looked around in the dark I noticed a large (10-12 inch) limb laying on each end of the tent. God was watching over us that night. In the marina nearby boats were piled up to a height of 30 feet. My brother, John and his boys were with us in a camper. A limb pierced near his head but they were safe as well. That could of been a night of tragedy for our family, BUT GOD gave His angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways.
God had more plans for our family. THANK YOU GOD!

God's Faithfulness

2010-03-21T20:53:00.000-07:00

One of the testimonies that I desire to leave with my family is God's faithfulness to supply our needs through the years. Mary and I taught in Christian Schools where the income often did not supply all that we needed, but God has always been faithful. It also was a help when I began to minister at Berean. With a growing family it was often a challenge. I'm sure our children remember the food showers given us at the church. It was quite a sight to see our table piled high with food. When I was challenged to live debt-free at the Gothard Seminar, I was soon tested on my commitment. Our water heater at 1905 started leaking. I remember praying, Lord I am going to trust you to provide instead of buying on time. It quit leaking for a week or so. This went on for about a month. One day I received a call from a hardware store telling us they had a water heater paid for for us. What a blessing. It encouraged me on in trusting the Lord. I have not always been faithful but God has. Our children helped out a great deal with paper routes, to take care of things like braces and education. We learned early on how important it was to give first to the Lord. I have seen Him honor that. I just want to pass on to my family, God cares for His children and is worthy of your trust in Him. One can raise 6 children while in the ministry even though it often meant 2 drinks at McDonalds & 4 courtesy cups.

HEAVEN IS A LITTLE BIT CLOSER

2010-02-14T12:53:00.000-08:00

As I was on a mission to find flowers for Mary, I was hit with a strong impression that I was to get flowers for Mom Tucker. In the last several years Dad Tucker would always get my attention on Mom's birthday, anniversary, mother's day and Valentines day and tell me to get flower's for Caryl. By some means he got my attention again. I was to put: Dad remembers you and wants you to be remembered. The seeming right ones had a bear and some carmel chocolates (which I later learned were his favorites). Somehow God must have passed on his request and it did seem to make heaven a little bit closer.

We Needed a Home

2010-01-16T11:19:00.000-08:00

After several years in the dorm, I realized that with a growing family, we needed a place of our own. We began to look for a home to buy. We had nothing for a down payment, but we looked anyway. We were so discouraged with what we saw that was inexpensive. I remember pouring out my heart to God on the matter. We made little at the school and now we had two children and another on the way. I remember the day when God directed my attention, while standing by the dorm house on the hill to a home across from the school on 30th street. I saw there was a house for sale sign in the yard. It was a very decent 2 bedroom house with a basement and garage on a one acre lot. It was immediately across the street from Central Christian. I think they were asking $12,250, but I still didn't have anything for a down payment. At that time we received a check from Mary's grandma Burkholder for $1500. (I need to say that was out of character for her and she knew nothing of our situation.) It was enough for the down payment and to pay for some of the furniture the homeowners were selling. As I look back I am so grateful for the kind hand of the Lord in providing when we had no might of our own. It was perfect for us. Room for our kids to play and a building for us to raise chickens and across the street from work. God found us a home. Many good memories at 1905 East 30th.

Dorm Ministry

2010-01-16T10:56:00.000-08:00

After teaching at Central Christian two years, Mr. Grubbs asked if Mary and I would consider being dorm parents to the girls that came to the school from other communities. I said we would pray about it. When I asked Mary what she thought, she cried. I told her to just ask God what He wanted us to do. After some time that summer, she said it would be OK. That's what I loved about Mary, she so much wanted to please. They moved in the principal's house over a large basement, and were just completing the project when school was scheduled to start. Mary was 8 months pregnant with Roger. What a time to begin a new venture. The girls lived in the basement and in a room over what had been the garage. We had about 12 teenage girls. I thought girls would keep their rooms neat, but I was so wrong. Mary said I told you. At first we tried to keep our place and their place. We soon realized we needed to approach it as their home. They really needed parents. When God began to show us how to minister to the girls, we had a good ministry in their lives. We still have a good relationship with some of those girls. We learned a lot about raising girls. God surely was preparing us. Thank you Mary for being willing to get out of your comfort zone. I know it was not easy with the birth of our firstborn. And a year later Julie was born. It was not easy, but we did see fruit in those 4 years in the girls dorm.

PROGRESS

2010-01-13T07:24:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow will mark 8 weeks since the surgery on my knee. Having looked at this experience as God's purpose for good, I want to give a progress report. I am out of the brace most of the time and have been able to walk a mile. I am able to sleep quite comfortably now. I see some good things that are results to this point. I have lost 13 pounds and purpose to keep that down. I am monitoring my blood sugar and am close to where it should be. Mary and I are more consistent on our devotional life and reading through the Bible this year. Those are some tangible things. I am trusting that some of the spiritual results will become evident such as patience, compassion, more zeal for the Lord and more sensitivity to God's Spirit. Though this was a painful experience, I again see that God works all things together for good.

LET THE PROCESS GO ON

2009-12-15T12:16:00.000-08:00

I did have surgery on November 19 and they found that I had tore things up significantly. They restructured my ACL, repaired my meniscus and something with my MCL. I am now over three weeks after surgery and involved in therapy. I have a leg brace that I wear 24-7 and probably will till the end of December. I guess the knee is doing well, but I have had digestive problems along with recovery and have lost 18 lbs. That's good, but not the best way to do it. The first couple of weeks after surgery are kind of hazy. The hardest part for me physically is sleeping or try to with this brace. Harder than that is being set aside and not able to take care of things like I would like to. It’s a blessing that it is happening in the winter.

In college days I memorized from James 1 in the Phillips paraphrase. When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don't resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence. I have tried to look at this experience in that light. The thing I am trying to focus on is the Let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed. I do want to learn the lessons God intends me to learn. I think it important to look at life's experiences as his schooling. He is always at work to conform us to the Lord's image. I am sure that God wants to teach me patience and how to behave when things are out of my control. God is good and I do choose to accept the things God has for me.

DEALING WITH PAINFUL SITUATIONS

2009-11-09T19:26:00.000-08:00

When I began this blog, I intended to do it chronologically but then things pop up that need to be addressed. Tuesday, November 3, 2009, I went with Brady Sult in a box truck 440 miles to northeast Missouri to haul their household goods back to Kansas. I prayed and felt clearly from the Lord that I should help him. When we were nearly loaded, I slipped somehow and got in a tangle with a hitch affair on the truck. The result was that I tore things in my left knee very severely. I am now looking at surgery and probably a slow recovery.

For many years I have been blessed with reading how Andrew Murray faced a difficulty in his life. It seems appropriate for me as I face the uncertainties of my situation.

He was staying where Amy Carmichael could observe his life. She said she wanted to see if his life was as good as his writings. She said when something painful came into his life, he was quiet before the Lord for a time and then he wrote the following: "First God brought me here, it is by His will that I am in this difficult place, then He will keep me here and help me to behave as His child, then He will teach me the lessons He intends me to learn, and finally He will bring me out again, how and when He knows. Let me say, I am here by 1. God's appointment - 2. In His keeping - 3. Under His training - 4. For His time."

I am claiming that prayer and perspective for my days ahead.

Our Firstborn Girl is 40

2009-09-27T14:10:00.000-07:00

Julie was a beautiful baby. She was born in the days when they didn't let fathers into the delivery room. It was a painful time waiting for her birth. At last I heard a baby cry. Julie was here. The nurse had to carry her by me on the way to the nusery. She turned away and would not let me see the baby. This was getting a little much for me. I didn't know Mary had told her not to let me see that we had a girl. She wanted to tell me. At last I was able to see this beautiful gal with lots of dark hair.
Julie was always on top of things. When she was about Malia's age (her oldest girl), she was watching our gas gage on a trip to Colorado. She started to warn me that we were going to run out of gas. Guess what, we did! Julie you have been a joy. We are grateful to God for trusting us with such a special girl. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

GOD BLESSED US

2009-09-08T11:56:00.000-07:00

Our firstborn, Roger, turned 41 yesterday. You will be amazed how fast those years go by. Mary had always said she wanted a dozen babies. I really hadn't thought a lot about how many children I wanted. I know we were both committed to having the children God purposed for us. When John was born(#6), we believed our quiver was full. We have been so grateful for our wonderful children.

Over the years, we had our share of criticism for the size of our family, but we were more interested in God's plan for our family.

Mary was blessed in her pregnancies by not suffering morning sickness. She also was not limited much in physical activity. The night before Roger was born, we walked/ran to the bowling alley a mile away. On the way to the hospital in the morning, we drove around the block several times. We were so new at this and Mary didn't want to be sent home. She looked so "unpregnant" that when we walked in at 6 a.m. they wondered what they could help us with. When she said, "I think I am ready to have a baby", they went into action. Son Roger was born at 11:57 a.m. (just in time for lunch)

He has been such a blessing to our family. He has also been a good role model for the 5 siblings that followed him.

We were very happy for his arrival but he sure changed our life. He was colicky and always hungry. This was a new kind of living.

We are forever grateful for our children and consider them a gift from God. One's family should be the centerpiece of one's ministry.

NO GOOD THING

2009-08-21T19:57:00.000-07:00

I just returned from 5 days of fishing in Manitoba, Canada, a very special birthday present from our son Roger. This was something I always thought would be a special thing to do.

Psalm 84:11 "For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." Satan will tempt you to think, If I follow the Lord and serve Him, I will never get to do the things that would be special to me. In addition to serving the King of Kings, He will add those things that are in your heart. There have been things I have pondered that would be special but have never asked for them. Among them, visiting Quito, Ecuador, from where the gospel was introduced to me, a cruise to Alaska, and fishing in Canada. I consider these to be some of those "good things" which had been in my heart. Don't ever think you will come up short by giving your life to serve the Lord. No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

A SPECIAL HONEYMOON

2009-07-27T21:16:00.000-07:00

I had somehow heard about the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. It was advertised as the "good life". I had enough money for reserving two nights at $50 a night I remember. Then we moved to a less expensive motel. We were like two kids on an adventure. This was different life then we knew. An attendant in a tux met us at the front and took our car. I had reserved a honeymoon suite and it was nice. Why did they turn our bed down? They rolled a table in with a linen tablecloth for our breakfast. We noticed that not many of the guests seemed that happy but we certainly were. To us this was the beginning of the "good life". It was worlds of difference from the two room apartment over a garage in Emporia, KS that we rented for $60 for six weeks for some summer school classes after our honeymoon. The place really didn't matter. We were just so happy to be married.

GOING THE DISTANCE

2009-07-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

As Mary and I headed toward Colorado after the wedding, I could not help but weep. God had done a special thing in bringing us together. As I looked toward the future now, with the wife that I had prayed for, I was very sobered with the life set before us.

I am writing this 42 years later after just finishing one of our "Camp Gramma(s)" with 21 of our 23 grandchildren. It was a wonderful time with these special children.

I keep the pictures of our growing family through the years on the wall where I counsel those struggling with problems - some who cannot see going on in their marriage. It is a pictorial message to the value of going the distance. Trials come, Satan will do all he can to destroy, the way ahead at times may look hopeless, but God has such blessing for those who will go the distance. Mary and I have been so blessed of God with our children, their marriages, and their children. What a special heritage. I pray for those who will face difficult times and will be tempted to quit. I speak to you down through the years, IT IS ALWAYS TOO SOON TO QUIT! May God help you go the distance.

OUR WEDDING

2009-05-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

I am writing this blog on May 27, 2009, forty-two years after our wedding. Last Tuesday, May 19, 2009, I was giving a message at Mary's Dad's funeral. All sorts of thoughts flooded my mind while being at the pulpit where we were married. I thought back to that night I first visited Salina Bible Church, as I sat by Mary. Unknown to her, I visualized our wedding. Then I remembered Mary's Dad giving her to me after walking her down the aisle. Now he was in heaven and his body lay in a casket where we declared our vows of intent to each other.

All of this reminded me of how important it is to live for the Lord and allow God to develop a legacy that honors Him. Today, 42 years later, we have 6 grown children and their mates seeking to raise their 23 children to walk with the Lord. God has been gracious!

Our wedding was a real answer to a long time prayer of mine for God's choice for me. Mary was beautiful! Francis Grubbs challenged us from Eph. 5 to live out the picture of a husband picturing Jesus Christ and His care for the church and a wife serving her husband as the church does Christ. I remember his prayer for us that God would bring the right balance of pain and pleasure, joy and sorrow, good days and difficult days into our lives in order to mold us into His image. Before he introduced us, he shared a poem somewhat as follows:

Two ships afloat on the sea of life,

Each launched from each its separate port.

Two lives, two lights and then they merge into a larger light.

One life, one light, to Glorify Thee O God.

We then sang a duet, "To Glorify Thee". It was very emotional for me. As we left Salina on the way to Hays for the night, I wept in gratitude to God.

Now, 42 years later, I am filled with gratitude to God for His grace to us. God blessed us with family. He has graciously brought us through storms that Satan intended for our destruction. Sunday, May 24, Mary and I sang "To Glorify Thee" in our service as a recommitment "to go the distance" for God.

To my Grandchildren: Be sure God is leading you to His choice for you. Then purpose by God's grace "to go the distance". Believe me, it is worth it. God be praised!

WILL YOU MARRY ME?

2009-04-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

It did not take very long after meeting Mary, that I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. It must have been when we were at my home in Iowa at Thanksgiving that I bought a ring for her. I tried to keep it a secret but I guess she looked in my checkbook. I suppose a check to the jewler there was a give away. On December 4, 1966, I set out to ask Mary's parents for permission to marry their daughter. For hours on that Sunday afternoon I waited for a good opening while Mary took a nap. That opening never came, so I finally just had to blurt it out. I received their blessing and gave Mary the ring after her folks left for church. We showed up a little later and Mary surprised her folks showing them the ring. I was engaged to that girl I had prayed for so many years. I was one happy guy!

MY FIRST YEAR AT CCHS

2009-04-15T11:19:00.000-07:00

I entered my first year of teaching with a lot of enthusiasm. Probably more enthusiasm than good sense. I took the responsibility of being dorm dad to about a dozen high school boys. I taught a number of math, science and Bible courses. I didn't have my teaching certificate, so I took night courses at Wichita State University and practice taught in McPherson High School. Mary and I directed the senior class play. And then there was the time I spent getting to know Mary. What a year that was!

I was very enthused about the Lord and about spiritual things and was disappointed that I didn't find that kind of heart in many of the students. On the other hand, I was excited to be able to start classes with prayer and talk about things of the Lord. I know God was beginning to show me the importance of education that is Christian. God was preparing me cocerning the education of our children He would bring into our lives.

CONCERNING INTERRUPTIONS

2009-04-02T18:50:00.000-07:00

Over the last several months, I have experienced an interruption to my project, but I am determined to get back to the project of Journaling My Journey. I have found in my life that whenever you set out to do something consistently, there are often interruptions. A good exercise program might be interrupted by sickness or injury. A devotional life may be interrupted by unexpected circumstances. It seems to me that Satan will try to interrupt the things in a Christian's life. I have learned that it is important to get back at it. If it was worth starting, it is certainly worth continuing and finishing. God has used thoughts in V. Raymond Edman's devotional on the discipline of determination to encourage me on in times of need. He wrote, "Transfer if you must; catch another wave-length; change your level to a higher one, but don't quit-- it is always too soon to quit."
God has put a desire in my heart to share my journey with those who come after me so I am getting back to the task.

THEN I MET MARY

2008-12-11T18:27:00.000-08:00

As a young person, I had heard Billy Graham speak of an experience with his daughter of eight years of age. "Daddy, does God know who I am going to marry some day?" Her dad replied, "God knows everything, let's pray for him right now." That struck a chord in my heart and I began regularly praying for that girl God knew I would marry. I did some dating after my time in Wheaton, but I always kept their names out of that prayer that belonged to God's choice. By the time I headed to Hutchinson, I was quite disillusioned with the girls I had dated. Then I met Mary.

When I arrived at Central Christian in Hutchinson, there she was waiting to meet me.(she told me that later on) I was immediately interested in this Mary Tucker. She played me in tetherball at a school picnic a couple of days later and won my heart by shinning up the pole to clobber the ball so I would not win. This was some girl.

At the opening school service where we gave testimonies, I sat in the row behind her. She had a date and that really troubled me. I did not understand it because I barely knew her, but in my spirit I just knew she should not be with him.

It was not many days until I realized the girl I was praying for and Mary were the same person. The more I saw her, the more I realized that this girl was all that I was looking for in one to spend my life with.

Mary went home to Salina on weekends. It was probably the middle of September when I called and asked if I could come and sit with her in the evening service at Salina Bible Church. I sat there that night during the service and visualized what our wedding would be like. When Mary and I were saying our vows at our wedding nine months later, my thoughts flashed back to the first time sitting with Mary and visualizing that day. God had graciously led me to Hutchinson to meet the girl of my dreams. Mary, I found I was soon very much in love with you and now 42 years later I love you even so much more.

ON TO TRINITY

2008-11-21T08:34:00.000-08:00

I had felt for years that I wanted to do something in math and the ministry. After receiving my BA with a major in math and a minor in physics, I felt God led me to Trinity Divinity School in the Chicago area. I received some wonderful instruction from the staff at Trinity. After a year there, I felt very unsettled about what God had for me in days to come. As I prayed about direction during the summer after that first year of seminary, I received a phone call from Francis Grubbs. Will you come to Hutchinson to teach math and Bible at Central Christian? It seemed right and I felt confirmation from Ezekiel 3:22, "Arise, go forth into the plain and I will there talk with thee." So it was off to the plains of Kansas and all that God had prepared for me and I had no idea how much God had to say.

LESSONS AT USD

2008-11-21T05:09:00.000-08:00

As I look back, I realize God was teaching me some important lessons concerning the future.

---The Importance of Intercession - My senior year went really well day to day. One day near the end of the year things changed. I later learned that a chemistry professor, Dr. Coker, was praying for me every day.(I was president of University Christian Fellowship) When we elected a president for the following year, Dr. Coker switched his praying to that student. It made a marked difference in how my days went.

---Spiritual Regions - I often went home on weekends. I noticed every time I left the city limits of Vermilion, S.D., a cloud of darkness lifted. When I returned on Sunday evening, it seemed I came back under that cloud at the city limits. I didn't know much about spiritual warfare in those days, but I was beginning to learn that Satan had different works in different regions.

---MPD - Looking back, I realize now that God was showing me an example of a fragmented person. My German professor was antagonistic against me for sharing my testimony with him. He was a drinker and very crude in most classes. He was raised in Poland and was no doubt abused. Some days he would come to class in a totally different personality. Once he even shared the Gospel in class. From what I have see in later years, it now makes sense.

---God's Desire and Power to Restore - I had a very unusual time with the Lord on a Sunday evening after returning to the university. I thought I needed to study for a German test, but God had something else in mind. I finally gave into the Lord and got on my knees with my Bible. All day I had been pondering an illustration given to me how that our life was like a piece of land and if Satan had some area of that land he then had right to have access through the Lord's territory. My Bible opened to a passage in Joel 2:18 that I had previously underlined. "Then will the Lord be jealous for His land and pity His people." For most of the night, I was in the Lord's presence as He spoke to me out of the book of Joel. I saw how the Lord's people's sin had opened the land to the enemy and much destruction, God's desire for repentance and then spiritual cleansing. Joel 2:25 stood out in a great way. "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten. . ." Little did I know that the Lord was giving me a message for the many years of spiritual cleansing ministry. God was building into my life a basis for helping people to rebuild their lives. God clearly showed me His power and desire to restore years of loss to Satan's power.
There was much that I missed that I had enjoyed at Wheaton, but my years at USD were great times of evangelism and preparation for future ministry.

ON TO USD

2008-09-12T11:58:00.000-07:00

God began to lead in various ways to make a change in my second year at Wheaton. At semester, I transferred to the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, SD. It was difficult to leave chapels and Christian teachers and students behind. However, I felt clear about God's leading. It was quite a culture shock to rarely ever see someone pray at meals and to have an ungodly roommate.
God did some very special things in my time at USD. Through getting acquainted with Frances Grubbs, my way led to Hutchinson and my lifelong mate, Mary and a ministry that awaited me. God used a number of transfer Christian students in those days to bring many students to Christ. My last two years I roomed with a transfer student from Morningside College in Sioux City, Daryl Anderson, who has become a lifetime buddy in the faith. God was doing exciting things on this secular university. It is so important to follow the leadings of God.

HOMESICK

2008-09-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

When I went to Wheaton, one of the things I did not know about myself was that I would experience homesickness. I thought I was quite independent and never had a thought about that. Here I was in Chicago without a car(a freshman rule) and no plan to go home until Thanksgiving. I really did get homesick. I learned I was very tied to my Mom. Singing hymns in Sunday worship just brought tears. God used those days to draw me closer to Him and gave me an understanding of what homesickness felt like. I am very grateful for a close family and growing up in a safe home.

AN UNFORGETABLE ENCOUNTER

2008-08-07T07:02:00.000-07:00

Early in my days at Wheaton, I experienced the grace of God in a time of testing. I had spent the weekend with my brother John and his wife Dorice in Chicago. They were at Trinity preparing for missions. I was returning to Wheaton on Sunday evening traveling by the Chicago Northwestern commuter train and was on the smoker car. My heart was overwhelmed as I faced the next week. Studies were hard and I was often belittled for coming from a small high school of about 17 in our graduation class. Later I learned that many of my fellow students were braggarts concerning their accomplishments. I was discouraged. All sorts of thoughts filled my mind. Had I just made up my own way in wanting to go to Wheaton? Had God really led me? Going back and farming looked attractive.

In the midst of the cloud of smoke and discouragement on my soul, a gentleman came and sat next to me and inquired if I was a Christian(I think I was carrying my Bible). I said I was and in answer to his questions, I said I was attending Wheaton College. He asked why I chose Wheaton. I began to tell him how God had used Jim Elliot and his testimony to inspire me to attend Wheaton. After he let me go on and on, he said, "that's interesting". Jim married my sister, Elizabeth. Jim's parents are at my home even now and I would like to have you meet them. It was such a joy to speak to them about their son.

But that was only part of the special thing God had just done. In essence He was saying, Relax and trust me. I know where you are and what's ahead. Trust my leading. The man was Dr. Howard, an instructor at the college: I can't remember much about him, but I will never forget that God met me in a smoker car on the way back to Wheaton at such a needy time in my life.

BLESSINGS AT WHEATON

2008-08-07T06:56:00.000-07:00

Wheaton College was my first experience of Christian Education. It was wonderful to have classes started with prayer and often devotionals.
The chapel services were a delight. When I first saw the beautiful Edman Chapel, it had me in awe.
Dr. Angeline Brant, a very plain single lady in her 60s, gave me a love for mathematics. Her love for the subject was infectious.
It has been a blessing to get acquainted with Dr. V. R. Edman and his life. God used his writings in significant ways in my life.
I also learned how to study there. On Saturday, you had to arrive early at the library to get a place to study. Later on at the University of South Dakota, I had the choice of a hundred places in the library on a Saturday.
God also used Wheaton to alert me to much that was going on in the Christian world. I am grateful for my time at Wheaton College.

GOD LED ME TO WHEATON

2008-07-07T12:27:00.000-07:00

As I look back, there were a number of things that came together to open the door to attending Wheaton College. I didn't have any counsel concerning that choice. After I read Jim Elliot's testimony including much about his time at Wheaton, I became very interested in pursuing attendance there. I transferred to a larger school so I could take Chemistry which, unknown to me, was a requirement. I applied in my junior year which was also necessary if I were to attend after graduation. It was also required to take the SAT test which I had done. I believe God graciously led me in the steps that were necessary. I really knew little about the college and knew no one who had attended. When I received my acceptance letter I was pretty excited. So, it was off to Wheaton.

A LIFE CHANGING TESTIMONY

2008-05-29T07:07:00.000-07:00

I remember hearing on the radio one morning that five missionaries were slain by the Auca Indians in Ecuador. In my junior year in high school, I read with great interest, "Shadow of the Almighty", the journal and testimony of Jim Elliot. I was so impressed with his devotion to Jesus Christ. Through his journal, it was obvious that Christ was first in his life. God used his testimony to challenge me on in my devotion to Jesus Christ. His writing about his time at Wheaton College interested me in applying to Wheaton. Jim wrote, "he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." That truth has been very helpful in my life and I pray it will guide those after me.

GOD USED IT FOR GOOD

2008-05-29T07:01:00.000-07:00

Teenage years can be very difficult. One experiences many changes and adjustments. I remember the difficulty I experienced with acne and my complexion. It made me quite self conscious. Looking back, I have thanked the Lord many times for the blessing which I considered a curse. It was a real safeguard against over attention to girls and dating. Over the years, I have noticed that some of the things we consider to be bad for us are there for a purpose. God saw that Paul needed his thorn in the flesh. God did not want me to get my life fouled up with girls before I would meet His choice for me.

GOD DOES HEAR ME

2008-05-04T18:44:00.000-07:00

As a young person, I remember a great desire to share my new found faith in Jesus Christ, but with little instruction of what to do. During my Jr. High years I told the Lord one day, " if you ever have Mrs. Cosgrove assign a paper entitled 'The Most Important Event in My Life', I will write about my salvation experience". I think only several days later she gave that assignment almost word for word. I was sort of stunned. I did follow through and wrote about accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior. She always picked several students to read their paper. I was a little scared that she would call on me and she did. I am grateful for this early test of obedience. Looking back, I realize what it did for me was to give me an awareness that God does hear my prayer and was able to move a teacher to respond to my prayer. I also learned that God takes us at our word. I know now, God used it to encourage me on in daily conversing with God.

MEMORIES OF OKABOJI

2008-04-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

An occasional vacation spot for our family during our years at home was Lake Okaboji about 80 miles from our home. It was quite a resort area with fishing, swimming, and an amusement park. One week each summer there was a missions conference sponsored by the Christian Missionary Alliance and the Omaha Gospel Tabernacle. Dr. R. R. Brown was the pastor during those year. As I think back, there were some significant things that occurred there. I have a distinct picture in my mind of seeing Billy Graham in the beginning of his ministry. I was baptized in the lake early on a Sunday morning with a number of others. I was 12 years old and the water was very cold. It was a special time for me of following the Lord Jesus. I remember another time as a teenager hearing a missionary from Viet Nam speak. She had her husband and children taken away when on the mission field. She had no idea what happened to them. She challenged young people to make their life available to God for His service. I remember going forward with many others making this commitment to the Lord. I looked up as she gave the dedication prayer for those who had come. Her voice was steady but tears were streaming down her face. I recognized in her a deep work of God produced from her suffering. I have fond memories of the fun being at the lake and am grateful for that which impacted me spiritually for the Lord at Okaboji.

THE LORD'S BLESSING

2008-04-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

Moses told Israel in Deut. 30:19f, "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live; that thou mayest love the Lord thy God and that thou mayest obey His voice."

After that special time with our family and Dr. Bob Cook, Mom and Dad began considering finding a church that preached the Bible. As I mentioned, they settled on the Meriden Evangelical Free Church nearly 20 miles from home. Now we were attending church 3 times a week instead of once a week 5 miles away. For the first time I saw people bringing their Bibles to church.

Some time after attending this church, Dad was in a prayer meeting one morning with some other men. One of the men told him about a farm that was soon to be sold. The folks looked into it and were able to purchase the land less than a mile from the church. It was a wonderful farm that always produced a good crop. The income from the farm was such a blessing to the folks through their retirement and then to us children after they went home to heaven. We recently sold the land nearly 50 years later. It sold for more than 11 times the price the folks had to pay.

It was very difficult for the folks to leave the family church and then to leave the family farm where my Dad was born. They chose to pursue God even though family would not understand. Proverbs 10:22 "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it." We have been blessed in so many ways for Mom and Dad's obedience to the Lord.

AFTER THAT SPECIAL NIGHT

2008-04-09T09:15:00.000-07:00

I have a clear memory of the next day being so happy that I knew I was saved and would one day go to heaven. I can't say that memories of my childhood were all clear, but that is a vivid memory. I remember right where I was when that joy filled my thoughts. I was given a copy of the gospel of John that night. I carried that with me in hip pocket for years. I remember having a strong desire to do something with my new Christian life but lacked help and direction. At the time, we were attending a church that was quite liberal so I didn't find help there. About that time God moved my parents to leave the family church and seek out one that was teaching the Bible. They ended up taking the family to the Evangelical Free Church in Meriden, IA, several towns away from our home. Our family was now under the teaching of the Gospel. Not only were we being fed God's Word, but God blessed our family in special ways for that decision of my parents. I will explain that in a future entry.

BORN INTO GOD'S FAMILY

2008-03-04T13:30:00.000-08:00

June 15, 1952 was my spiritual birthday. I had heard about the need for salvation and the lostness of those who had not trusted Christ. But, to that point, I had not felt challenged to accept salvation. That night was different. Our family attended an evangelistic meeting in Sioux City, Iowa, about 50 miles from our home. Dr. Bob Cook was speaking to what seemed to me a huge crowd in the Municipal Auditorium. When the invitation was given, the thought of my heart was, "I may never find my family in this crowd of people, but I don't care; I want to accept Jesus as my Savior." I think I was the first one to go forward. I remember a lady kneeling with me and leading me in prayer to confess my sin and invite the Lord Jesus to be my Savior. That night I was born into God's family. I was blessed never to doubt my salvation from that day. My sister, Roberta, trusted Christ the same night and my parents came forward and rededicated their lives to Christ. My brother, John, was not with us but trusted Christ some time later. I not only found my parents, but I remember Dr. Bob Cook praying with our family later back stage. That night I was delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son:(Col. 1:13)
My thanks to Grandma Johnson and others who prayed for my salvation, to my Mom for her burden for our family to hear the gospel, to Dr. Cook for the message, and to the lady that prayed with me. Above all, my thanks to the Lord Jesus for paying the price so I could be born into God's family.

FREEDOM FROM FEAR

2008-02-22T09:48:00.000-08:00

One thing that stands out in my childhood is the amount of fear I had in my early days. Looking back, I realize that after I received Christ at the age of nine, I had freedom from fear. I remember having fear of storms, fear that our furnace would blow up, fear of fire drills in school, fear of getting sick to my stomach at school, fear of the dark, and I'm sure there were many more. I came to appreciate the power of God in some of the things that had earlier caused fear.
God led later in my life to deal with some very frightening situations in the spiritual battle. I am so grateful that God had delivered me from fear. "For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."(II Timothy 1:7) I agree with Martin Luther; "The Prince of Darkness Grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo his doom is sure; One little word shall fell him." I pray that those who come after me will find wonderful freedom from fear in Jesus Christ.

FUN ON THE FARM

2008-02-07T21:11:00.000-08:00

When Mary and I started raising a family, I had wished that our children could have grown up on a farm. I really enjoyed my years on the farm. It provided endless opportunities for exploration and fun. We had about a mile of creek that needed a lot of exploring. I was one of three children. John was 6 years older and Roberta a year younger. We had a brother Edward who died in infancy. Since Roberta was about the same age, we did a lot together. Some of the things I enjoyed as a boy: looking for kittens in the haymow - baptizing cats in cattle tank(they weren't willing) - hypnotizing chickens - trapping gophers - and fishing in the creek. As we got older, there were chores and fieldwork. As I look back, I enjoyed it all. I thank God for those years and learning the lessons of farming and the cycles of life under the care of attentive, loving parents. It was a good beginning.

A HUNGER TO HEAR GOD'S WORD

2008-02-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

When I was young, our family attended a church where I learned very little of the Bible. At our home we had a big old upright radio that had short wave capability. While I was investigating what stations I could find, I found HCJB (Heralding Christ Jesus' Blessings) broadcasting from Quito, Ecuador. I listened to Christian programs by the hour. I am so grateful that God led me to find the station and created a hunger in me for the Bible. My early knowledge of God's love for me, before I was a Christian was broadcast from high in the Andes in South America. In October 2006, I had the blessing of visiting Ecuador and sharing how God had used that station in Quito to bring the gospel to a lad in Iowa. I am grateful to the founders of HCJB.

A SENSE OF DESTINY

2008-02-01T08:51:00.000-08:00

Something happened to me as a child that I've never told until now but it has an impact on my life. I would guess I was about 7 years old and we were visiting my Mom's brother Henry and his wife Alma. She took me into a room to see her mother, Mrs. Morrel, who was nearly blind and near the end of her life. She didn't know me well but I remember her taking my hand and telling me, "God has something special He wants to do with your life." Though I was young, it made an impact on me and I have never forgotten that moment. I don't know anything about Mrs. Morrel's relationship with Christ but I do know God does have a special plan for each of our lives. That plan can only be realized as we trust Christ as Savior and yield ourselves to His will.

Job 23:10 He knoweth the way that I take . . .

Jer. 29:11 I know the thoughts I think toward you . . .to give you an expected end.

I Peter 2:9(NIV) But you are a chosen people . . .

Eph. 2:10 For we are His workmanship . . .

I pray that those after me would have a sense of destiny that will move them on to realize the will of God in their lives.

I CALL HER BLESSED

2008-01-31T08:05:00.000-08:00

The writer of Proverbs 31 describing a virtuous woman says that her children rise up and call her blessed. My Mom was used greatly in my life. I see her life as used to encourage godly character in her children. My parents were 37 years old when I was born in 1942 and displayed maturity as parents. Mom displayed a great deal of gentleness. She never scolded for mishaps that were accidental. She spent a lot of time with me through childhood sickness. I missed first grade because of illness. She had the ability to keep an open door to speak to her about any matter in my life. Sometimes I'm sure I shocked her, but she didn't let on. She prayed with me every night as a child. I know she prayed for her children as I saw her often on her knees beside her bed. She was very concerned for the spiritual welfare of her family and was responsible to get us to special meetings where we heard the gospel. Mom set a wonderful example of faith, integrity, and righteous living. When I left home and attended Wheaton College, it took weeks to get over homesickness for my Mom. I am glad to call her "Blessed"!

A Close Family

2008-01-28T16:13:00.000-08:00

My dad's parents, Mary Alice and Harry, raised their family on a farm near Marcus, Iowa. They came from German and Pennsylvania Dutch background. The Neir family was a very close family with six of the seven children settling close to Marcus. Most of the families were at their folks for Sunday dinner and time together in the afternoon. There were five girls and they were all fine cooks. Good food was important in the Neir family. Through the years the family remained close through a yearly reunion. It seemed to me the family really enjoyed closeness, something I am grateful to see in our family. I am so thankful that our children enjoy getting together and coming home when they can. It seemed to me that talking about "spiritual" things in my dad's family was too personal to talk about openly. I think our family helped to change that after Roberta, John, and I were saved and had a burden for the Neir family. My dad's family were good, hard working people and I trust most of them trusted Christ. Some years ago after one of the reunions, I sent a letter to all the family explaining salvation and my concern that we would have a great reunion in heaven. I am thankful for this family background.

Grandmother from Sweden

2008-01-28T08:53:00.000-08:00

My mom's parents John P. Johnson and Christina C. Franson each came from Sweden as young people and met and married in Marcus Iowa in 1894. They moved to Waseau, Nebraska and raised seven children there. Christina was known to have prayed for the salvation of each of her grandchildren. The Waseau Gazette stated: "she was a loving mother and deeply concerned about the spiritual welfare of her children and friends for whom she prayed". She died before knowing many of her grandchildren. We are all greatly affected by those in our family line. What I hear about grandmother Christina reminds me a lot of my mother Alice. She had that same spiritual concern for her family. Faith is passed on in our families. I pray that my life and prayer will have an impact on those after me. Thank you Grandmother Christina for letting God use you in those yet to be born.