Crossway Life

Rolland King, along with the support of his wife Brandi, leads a Care Group in the “great metropolis of Washington Boro,” as Rolland likes to say.  The group is grateful for Rolland’s oversight and appreciates the way he initiates asking caring, probing questions. He truly encourages discussion with open and honest conversations.  His wife, Brandi, is a deeply caring person with great wisdom and discernment. It is a group that is full of love and laughter.

This diverse group of 17 adults consists of seasoned married couples, newlyweds, veteran parents, first-time parents, and single adults. Members include: Orlando and Rosa Falcon, John Hamilton, Cindy Hess, Andy and Caitlin Groen, Barry and Ellen Koser, Herb and Beth Hess, Keith and Christine Lewis, Christine Schmalhofer, and Dale and Glenn Witmer.

Meetings begin at 6:30pm at the King’s home with a time of snack and informal fellowship. Announcements and jokes follow.  In fact, it seems there is always something humorous awaiting the group each week. When Caitlin and Andrew Groen, who live in York, joined the group someone had the brilliant idea of playing a game called “How Much Do You Know about York County?”   It turns out this well-bred Lancaster group didn’t know much about their neighboring county, but it sure brought a lot of laughter to the group.

Speaking of good-humored laughter, Keith Lewis led a meeting this year and announced that the care group was going to be participating in a church outreach—free dog washing.

In the same announcements he also mentioned there would be renovations at Penn Manor and that the church would now be meeting at the farm property under a tent.  The group gullibly believed that Keith might be telling them the truth.  But it all turned out to be a big joke.  Keith’s just one of the many jokesters in this care group!

A highlight of the past year was the group’s Christmas meal together.  Christine Lewis and Dale Witmer went beyond the call of duty to create a 5 star dining experience for everyone.  It was an evening of unbelievable culinary flavors and joyous fellowship with one another.

The group wants to specifically acknowledge Glenn and Dale Witmer. When they met, they both had been widowed and knew within 9 months that they wanted to marry each other.  Dale reflects that her 6 years of being a widow were times she truly cherished as she walked with the Lord as a single person again.  However, now both she and Glenn truly love being married to each other and make serving the church and each other a top priority. They have poured their lives out to the CG with generous gifts, times of serving and speaking wisdom into all our lives.  They are transparent and exemplify both grace and faith.  We praise the Lord for their gracious example!

Ok, girls, truth-time! I sit here and, to be honest, am overwhelmed at the moment!  Can any of you relate?  You see, Monday is the first day of school for my boys, and this opens a whole new season for me.  I will be teaching school to these three, and will have three ‘babies’ (under three years old) when our sixth child arrives in October! So, as I peek around the corner at next week, I am so very much aware of my need for the help of Someone outside myself! And, I can be so quickly gripped by my fears and sense of inadequacy. But, you know what? Inadequate is exactly how I must see myself, for there I find I must lean heavily and only on my Saviour. I must also speak truth to myself, because fear is the opposite of faith. “And without faith, it is impossible to please Him…” (Hebrews 11:6a)

I need truth!  We’ve heard it said that we must speak to ourselves, rather than listen to ourselves. I know that when I am just passively ‘listening’ to myself, truth is often absent. So, as I speak to myself, perhaps some of you may find encouragement along with me for faith to do what God is calling you to, no matter how difficult or seemingly ‘impossible’ it may seem right now.

I’m reminded of a short devotional I read that has been faithful to speak truth to me about God’s character as my ever present help, even when I don’t ‘feel’ His presence.

Speaking of Exodus 19:4, “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself,” the writer says, “Have you ever wondered why God chose eagles as his metaphor to describe his actions?  Eagles build nests at the tops of towering trees or high in rocky cliffs. When it is time for a young eaglet to fly, the parent coaxes it out to the edge of the nest and then pushes the eaglet off. If the eaglet refuses to come out, the parent stirs the nest and throws the eaglet out. During this first flying lesson, the eaglet plunges hopelessly downward , flapping its wings in desperation. What the eaglet doesn’t know is that the parent swoops down underneath it and flaps its own powerful wings. The updraft of air created by the parent’s wings pushes the youngster up, enabling it to fly. Though unseen, the presence and strength and power of the parent guarantees that the eaglet won’t be harmed. God carries us on eagles’ wings. When we feel as thought we’ve been pushed out of the nest and are free-falling as we flap our wings in desperation, God is there- “carrying” us like an eagle. Though unseen, his strength and power are under us, bearing us up, protecting us, and enabling us to fly.”

I love clear pictures that remind me of what is true. God’s will for my life will not always be easy. In fact, I am promised that I will face difficulty, but as I see God’s amazing display of love for me, in giving His own Son for my greatest need, I can be confident that He is providing for my every need. He has not left me alone, nor is He somehow watching me from a distance, waiting for me to fail!  He is with me and will surely give me grace for this too!

Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.”

Recently I was preparing a message and re-read C.J. Mahaney’s little book The Cross Centered Life.  It might be a little book but it packs a powerful punch to the gut of condemnation. I was profoundly encouraged as I read this little section on guilt and condemnation…

“Condemnation is something we all deal with at one time or another.  It comes in different degrees.  It’s a mistake to think that condemnation is a problem only for people who have committed ‘major’ sins.

We can become condemned over any sin, past or present, great or small.  The common element is a sustained sense of guilt or shame over sins for which you have repented to God and to any appropriate individuals.

Are you allowing condemnation into your own life?  Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you relate to God as if you were on a kind of permanent probation, suspecting that at any moment He many haul you back into the jail cell of His disfavor?
2. When you come to worship, do you maintain a “respectful distance” from God, as if He were a fascinating but ill-tempered celebrity known for lashing out at His fans?
3. When you read Scripture, does it reveal the boundless love of the Savior or merely intensify your condemnation?
4. Are you more aware of your sin than you are of God’s grace, given you through the cross?

Do you see any traces of condemnation in your life?  Don’t be surprised if you do. But don’t keep carrying the burden!  Because of the gospel’s power you can be completely free of all condemnation.

Not mostly free; completely free.”

Yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) we spent about 3 hours talking about our building, which is fairly typical of late.  We got to see ideas for our lower level Children’s Ministry classrooms.  We had in Dan Garner and an interior designer from their firm, as well as Lisa Evans who joined us to give her perspective as the 1 & 2 year-olds’ Department Leader.

As you might imagine, it’s very exciting to consider how these rooms will look & function.  The thin lines of blueprints begin to take on more life as we see colors and textures, as we look at carpet and tile samples, and as we begin to visualize how this will all come together.

I’m excited for the day when we can break ground and begin moving toward seeing this building incarnated, as it were.  I’m grateful for your faithfulness and generosity, which have provided the funds for us to get this far.  I’m grateful for God’s faithfulness in leading us through the approval process.  I’m excited about the prospect of what lies ahead, even as we continue to pray for God’s provision and for his timing.  We don’t pretend to know his hidden will, but we continue to move forward in faith, trusting him to build this building in his timing and for his people.

There are many, many details to be worked through yet, both for the building and in the approvals process; but the progress we have made is tremendous.  If we were left to our own wisdom and ingenuity, I would despair.  Yet seeing God’s faithfulness to us inspires us to trust him.  Knowing his love for his people, his commitment to his own glory, and his power in the gospel motivates us to keep moving forward.  Thank you for your excitement and prayers–I can’t wait for the day when we can walk through those doors and see what color the classrooms are…

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life” (Matt. 6:25). 

When my heart grows anxious, my body tells me so.  At times, even days before it enters my mind that I am being anxious.  I’m a quick one.

I’ll wake up in the middle of the night, no reason.  Canker sores in the mouth.  Uneasy stomach.  Other strange things (no levitating, don’t worry).

I see this as the remarkable kindness of God our Creator, who gives us clear signs when all is not well on the interior.  As our hearts react sinfully to circumstances or pressures in life, so our body can often follow suit. In his deep love for us, he draws us to see our rebellion, using even bodily signage.

This past week as I’ve waded into preparations for onesingleday (Aug. 29), as baby Plank #4 reaches his/her due date (Aug. 31), and as a host of other situations in my family and the church have come flying, I found my tell-tale signs starting their courses.

It came to light for me in a conversation with Keith Bunting, who kindly was inquiring how I was doing.  As I answered his question, it dawned on me that (why yes, Sherlock, that is a canker sore!) I was anxious!  It was during and after that conversation with Keith that God has added grace and peace as I’ve brought this sin to light through confession and conversations.

What is your body telling you?

forest ferns at our campsite

Last week I posted prior to our vacation that I was hoping to grow this year in my leadership of family vacations. I have recognized in years past a tendency on my part to gravitate toward self-focused pursuits. The Holy Spirit, my wife and CJ’s article on Family Vacations have all contributed to a greater awareness of my sin and a need to grow. This year I set out to 1) take leadership in family devotions, 2) recognize the presence of selfishness in my heart, 3) ask for Cynthia’s perspective on how I am doing during the week.

By God’s grace I believe I saw growth. For this I am thankful for the kindness of God to prepare me this year. Here’s a run down: 1) during dinners I read from A Gospel Primer and then led in a time of questions and answers where everyone was involved. My family graciously participated. 2) I determined ahead of time not to look for time for myself. Instead of just going off to have my devotions I looked for natural opportunities to read. I was able to have 2 quiet times out of four 3) On this point I really “fell off the horse”. I did not ask Cynthia how I was doing and in fact did not seize opportunities to communicate deeply with my family members. Granted it was a family vacation and we were busy preparing meals and playing games, but still I believe God wants me to be more aware of others by speaking and drawing them out during those times.

For all of this (the growth and the identification of weakness) I am indebted to God for his kindness. If justice were the measuring rod, my failures would disqualify me from being a father. Instead He has given me mercy while he gently points out my shortcomings. In this way He rightly receives the glory for the growth in my life. This is how I want to grow. This is how I want to live.

This week was a marker of God’s faithfulness and grace to me.  On the way home, one of my children began to feel sick to the stomach.  We tried to talk that person out of it, but there was no successful distraction.  I thought to give that child a bag just in case.  As things turned out, that child really didn’t feel well and threw-up in the bag minutes away from home.  This child was scared and asked for my help, so I went into the backseat with my big belly and all.  I was able to bring words of comfort and a little head rub during the episode.  THANKFULLY, that was the only episode that evening besides just an aching belly.  I was ready with my ears poised to hear my help needed, which of course means not much sleep.

Now, for those of you who know me well, you probably know how much I HATE throw-up.  This was a real fear of mine in years past.  It was paralyzing at times for me to know someone else was sick nearby.  I really struggled in my thought life when it came to that topic–the feeling of throwing-up, the awful smell, the sounds, the sight!!!!!  There’s the possibility of dehydrating.  What if I can’t get to the toilet in time?  These were some of the consuming thoughts that took hold of me. 

My husband (God bless him) was so patient with me in this area when we were first married.  He didn’t belittle me or tell me to get over it.  He listened to me and realized how great the fear was to me.  He lead me to the Lord in it and over time, the fears have lessened.  Don’t get me wrong, I still hate it, but God has brought me a looooong way since the year 2001.

Fast forward to me being a mom . . . having kids equals dealing with throw-up, no doubt about it.  In the heat of the moment, you really do step up to the plate in ways you would never anticipate.  God’s grace has come to help my children in their fearful moments and for me not to succumb to fear myself.  The fact that I was able to help my child in the car without thought or hesitation is an amazing thought for me to think upon.  Through tears, I shared my gratefulness to Doug that God helped me in that moment.  I know that it was not my doing, but the Lord’s!  He has shown Himself faithful to me as I have endeavored to put fears to death.  He has taught me to identify fears for what they are, take that fear to the worst case scenario, and then to apply the Gospel that His grace will still be there in the most difficult of places.