Crossway Life

I’ve recently discovered some new music (actually old, old lyrics put to new tunes) being churned out by a local church in Louisville, KY.  This CD, “Over the Grave” is made up of several revamped lyrics written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748).

I’ve had this one playing for the past week and have truly enjoyed the arrangements.  We just introduced one of their songs, “Refuge” two Sundays ago.  Here is the lyrics from the chorus:

“I know my days are in Your hands/though I draw near to dust/You are the God in whom I trust/you are my refuge./So lift up your voice and sing aloud,/and praise Him all you saints/How wondrous is his grace/He is our refuge.”

This past Sunday Crossway welcomed 7 new members into the Church! Each family and single completed our Exploring Crossway Church course which is an overview of our beliefs and practice and our Experience course  which is an introductory caregroup. Everyone  stood publically to acknowledge their decision to make Crossway their home church and recieved a copy of Bible Doctrine by Wayne Grudem. To all our new members who stood yesterday, We Welcome You!

Contrary to what my title may lead you to believe, this is not meant to be a self-promoting post!!  It was right around this time a year ago that Steve, the kids, and my very pregnant self moved from the Pastor’s College back into our home in Willow Street and Steve began his work at the church.  It is hard to believe that a year has passed already.

If you know any of the story of how we came to Crossway, it is clear to us both that God certainly had His hand on bringing us here.  We were fresh out of YWAM searching for many things, but mostly we knew that we wanted to be in a good church.  We really had no idea of what that was to look like, but we thought it just had to exist somewhere.  We literally stumbled into the doors of LCC (at the time) clueless to anything of Sovereign Grace.  Our first Sunday here, Ray Randolph was preaching and Steve and I were both very impacted by things that he shared.  We were provoked and curious and continued to come back.  One thing that stood out to us at the time was the eagerness with which people pursued us.  We liked, but were also a little mystified by, how seriously everyone took this church thing.  We loved the worship; the songs were different and Christ-centered.  For the first time we saw the sovereignty of God being taught in a way that seemed so practical, helpful, and appealing.  And here we are, 6 plus years later still loving these things and more about our church.

I have especially loved getting to know and benefit from all my friendships made over these past few years.  I love that church is not like high school.  In high school you hang with people who are exactly like you (ok, at least in my high school we did).  You’re a jock, a nerd, a musician, an “alternative” or a rebel.  I love that in church my relationships have spanned generations and been with many different types of people.  Abby Odell and her extraordinary hospitality; Joanne Bitterman and her niceness about EVERYTHING; Dale and Carol Landis: servants to the nth degree; Kendra Herr, the homemaking queen; Linda Dreidger and her sincere love for God’s people; Deborah Wilhelm, committed and faithful mother; Buddy Baker, the way he’s reached out to our kids; Pamela Bueche, Cori Bitterman, Shannon, EA and Margaret Odell for all the hours spent with our kids loving them and having fun with them; Grace, Cynthia, Barbara, and Brenda for all of your wisdom and friendship; Lois Sensenig and her laugh; Becky Howell and her ability to make me laugh.  I could go on and on but you get the picture.  Our church is filled with amazingly talented, fun, helpful and godly people.  I am so thankful to be here and even more thankful that my husband’s job is to care for you all.  So here’s to one year and hopefully many, many more!!

Although he does not attend Crossway, I am excited to commend my dad to you.  While I could never adequately thank him for all he has done, I am overjoyed to be able to honor him for the twenty-four years he has dedicated to teaching, training, and loving me.

As I was growing up, a common Jaenke household ritual included family devotions and worship. My dad, the greatest guitar player in the world, led us in singing songs about God’s faithfulness and love, having confidence in Christ, how to praise God, and His role creating “all the little fishies” (as my brother and I would dance around the room donning fins and puckered lips… as aforementioned little fishies).  My dad’s leadership in guiding our family in studying scripture together instilled in me the daily necessity for God’s word.  Dad took us through The Beginners’ Bible when my brother and I were young, a study of the names of God during our middle school years, and regularly had us share what God was teaching us during personal devotions during high school years.  Waking up each morning to see my dad studying the Bible also spoke volumes to me about the importance of living a life saturated with scripture.

I have come to respect many things about my dad that I lacked an appreciation for earlier in life.  One of these is his influence on my perception of how I view God’s character, particularly in reference to God being called “Father.”  Much of my view of God as Father has come directly from the relationship I have with my earthly father.  He showed me forgiveness when I sinned against him.  He provided for my needs—needs I was both aware of and unaware of.  He protected me physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Most amazing of all, he showed me love when my actions were entirely void of love toward him.  Though my dad is quick to confess his shortcomings while raising my brother and I, I have a greater love for my heavenly Father because of him.  Thank you, Dad.  I love you.

written by Elaine Jaenke

While not many of you know my Dad, you have undoubtedly witnessed a piece of his influence in any shreds of God’s grace in my life. I am excited to have the opportunity to honor my Dad for the years of sacrifice and godly wisdom that he has poured into my life, and as I think even now of what to specifically honor him for, countless memories and thoughts of how he has laid down his life for Christ and his family come to mind. However, I want to specifically honor my Dad for his humble selflessness and his godly pursuit of scripture.

My Dad is one of the most selfless people I know and I am often overwhelmed by the sacrifices that he makes for his family, and ultimately for Christ. My Dad serves his family constantly, devoting the entirety of his energy, strength, and time to providing and caring for his wife and children. One of the most notable ways that I observe this is in the long hours that he works at his less-than-dream job- hours that he doesn’t desire, but graciously accepts to provide and care for each of us. I have never heard my Dad express our provision as a burden, or complain that God has granted him undesirable or insufficient means of accommodating our needs. Rather, he thankfully applies the opportunities and strength that God has granted him to look after the needs of each of us, never seeking to satisfy his own desires.

In addition to his humble selflessness, and an undeniably propelling basis, is my Dad’s devotion to studying and searching scripture. If ever my Dad has a free moment, which is rare, he can more than likely be found with his notebook and Bible, engrossed in God’s word and diligently seeking to understand and apply the text. His passion for scripture marks his life and is an example of godly pursuit to everyone around him.

Dad, I know that I don’t often thank you or honor you for all of the ways that you have touched my life and pointed me toward Christ, but know that your sacrifices have not been wasted. We have all benefited from your humble guidance and, most importantly, your sacrifices have honored God and vividly proclaimed his glory. I am so thankful that he has blessed me with you as my Dad, and I will never be able to adequately express my gratefulness for the way that you have cared for my soul and directed me to seek him.

I love you Dad!

written by Holly DeVries

What a joy it is to honor my husband, Rob Bigley!  Rob is a godly husband, father, friend, neighbor, and employee.  In our 16 years of marriage, I have seen Rob grow in his faith, in his love for God, and in his desire to mortify his sin.  Early in our marriage, Rob made the commitment to read God’s Word every day, and with rare exception, he has been faithful to that commitment.  He seeks to glorify God in every area of life, willing to live in radically different ways from the surrounding culture when necessary.  He truly enjoys God to the fullest, relishing all aspects of His creation, especially relationships.  Rob works hard, as unto the Lord, but also laughs easily.  There is no separation between the sacred and the secular for Rob – all of his life is offered to God as a spiritual act of worship. 

All of these God-given personality and character traits have shaped the way Rob fathers our three children.  He is quick to seize “teachable moments”, communicating truth from scripture in winsome ways.  He spends time listening to the thoughts, fears, and desires of his children, gently guiding them to the truth when they stray.  He disciplines in love, not anger, desiring not to punish, but to bring to repentance.  He leads our family devotions, asking questions and challenging the kids to think more deeply about God, His world, and His ways.  He nurtures creativity – in the visual, performing, and media arts – as well as humor, often causing us to laugh to the point of tears.   

You are an amazing Dad, Rob.  God’s grace is evident in the way you love and lead our children.  Happy Father’s Day!

written by Kendra Bigley

Jeremy is a wonderful husband and father.  He has humbly sought to grow in his leadership of our marriage and family through the years.  He is regularly seeking accountability for this purpose.  He is committed to raising our children in a biblical manner.  He is patient and kind toward them.  He disciplines them with love and a desire for them to understand their need for a savior.  I love his determination to not allow Lane and Ava to become “Mama’s babies”.  He is always playing with them or taking them away to do fun things.  He has repeatedly won their affections!  It never appears to be a sacrifice for him to give me a break. 

Jeremy’s joyful experience of fatherhood is mingled with sorrow.  He is the father of seven.  Lane, Ava, baby girl (in the womb), Carina and three other children that we lost during early pregnancy.  Jeremy is to be commended for the way he has walked through the loss of our children.  When he has struggled with questions of God he has spoken the truth of the gospel to himself, turned from sin, and returned to a place of trust.  He has lived with me in an understanding way as I have struggled and encouraged me with the gospel.  He has been faithful to lead the whole family through this.  I know that the Father holds his reward, and I am sure that part of that reward will be the arms of the children he never knew around his neck! 

Happy Father’s Day, Jeremy!  I am honored to be your wife!  Lane, Ava and I love you immensely, and if Carina was here i know she would hug your neck in celebration of Father’s day this year!

written by April Stoltzfus