Straight From My Heart…

This past week-end I celebrated my birthday!  June 2 marked my 55th one of these and I am thankful for my friends around globe who shared kind words with me.  I was glad to have my family and a few close friends over for a wonderful cook-out and time of celebration.

I was most surprised by the fact that our oldest daughter made an unexpected visit for the weekend.  She lives in Charleston, SC and she had told me that her work schedule was going to keep her in town for the weekend (she just started a new job) but that she would “see me soon.”  I was standing in the kitchen on Saturday morning and when the door opened and she walked in my heart did back flips.  Much to my surprise everyone else in the family knew that she was coming.  My 5 year old grandson even said to me … “I knew Aunt Becca was coming but I had to keep the secret.”  Then he said, “I don’t like to keep secrets from Pop-Pop.”  With both our daughters  and their families there, my day was wonderful.

The words from my oldest grandson (the 5 year-old) ringing in my ears got me to thinking.  While secrets are sometimes fun we must remember that when we have really important news we must be willing to announce it to the world.  Some things should remain hidden in our hearts, but when we have good news it must never be a secret.  Of course I am talking about the greatest news of all — the “Good News” of Jesus Christ.  I trust that you will make it your habit — day by day — to share with others the love of God, in Christ, with all those in your circle of influence.

The fact that my daughter was going to surprise me was a wonderful secret, but the fact that Jesus loves us is an announcement that must be shared!  Until Jesus returns, I remain

Yours, in the fulfilling of the Great Commission,

Straight From My Heart…

I never cease to be awed by the wonderful ways God opens doors for ministry.  Often I am afraid that we fail to recognize the ways God is working around us.  We tend to think that all the bleakness of society is an indication that evil is triumphing over good — that Satan is winning the battles of daily living.   While theologically I know that God is in complete control of all things, I too readily throw up my hands in despair and forget to remember that God is always at work around me.

Such was certainly the case on a recent trip to D.C.  With all my frustrations with what I thought I knew about things in our nation’s capital, little did I know of the wonderful ways God is working there!

It was my absolute honor to meet with the people and staff of “Faith and Action” — a ministry that is stealthily touching the lives of some of the most influential people of the world.

Their office is situated across the street from the Supreme Court building and often Justices and staff members stroll along this street and walk right in front of their office which has, as a constant reminder, a copy of the Ten Commandments etched in granite.  The stone is even situated at an angle so that all who pass by will clearly see it.

Walking through the office I was reminded (by photographs on the walls) that even the most powerful people in the world need Jesus.  Even those who hide behind the black robes of the Court are people for whom Jesus died.  Those who walk the halls of Congress and other places of influence are not beyond the reaches of the Gospel and I am thankful that God has allowed me to become acquainted with this viable ministry group.

Later this month I will have the opportunity to be with yet another group of influential people as I teach a morning Bible study to some of the best of the business world.  Please pray for me as I am in Orlando for this event.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”  (1 Cor. 2:9)

Thank you for your continued prayers.  Until Jesus returns, I remain

Yours, in the fulfilling of the Great Commission,