A nurse escorted a tired, anxious young man, to the bedside of an elderly man.  “Your son is here” she whispered to the patient.  She had to repeat the words several times before the patient’s eyes opened.

He was heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack and he dimly saw the young man standing outside the oxygen tent.  He reached out his hand and the young man tightly wrapped his fingers around it, squeezing a message of encouragement.  The nurse brought a chair next to the bedside.

All through the night the young man sat holding the old mans hand, and offering gentle words of hope.  The dying man said nothing as he held tightly to his son.

As dawn approached, the patient died.  The young man placed on the bed the lifeless hand he had been holding, and then he went to notify the nurse.  While the nurse did what was necessary, the young man waited.  When she had finished her task, the nurse began to say words of sympathy to the young man.  But he interrupted her.

“Who was that man?”  He asked.

The startled nurse replied, “I thought he was your father”.

“No, he was not my father, “He answered.  “I never saw him before in my life.”

“Then why didn’t you say something when I took you to him?”  asked the nurse.

He replied, “I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn’t here.”  When I realized he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, I knew how much he needed me….” Author unknown

Rom 9:16-17 It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
A Paris en Vélo, On Dépasse les Autos. La Vie en Rose, Part 15

“A Paris en Vélo, On Dépasse les Autos.” This famous song from French singer Joe Dassin describes how much easier it is to travel through Paris by bike instead of by car. Indeed, it is a nightmare to find a parking place in Paris, and cars often find themselves bottled-up the slow moving traffic while bikers zoom around, in front, and sometimes over them!

“Get off my car!”

Many Parisians like the fact that they can rent their own bikes at most street corners of the city. You can deposit the necessary change into a machine and you may then take one of the many city bikes and ride wherever you would like to.

This is also good for your health, and Parisians are definitively health-conscious. Along the Seine River for example, there are special designated paths for jogging and running, and surprisingly, these are well used. The same is true in Paris’s many parks, such as le Jardin du Luxembourg, where there are also many other athletic choices, such as tennis, walking, and biking. Did I already say biking???

Parisians work hard to be healthy. They also work hard to enjoy nature. Because this city is huge, and there are few who have enough land to have their own gardens, Parisians plant their gardens in pots on their apartment balconies. It is amazing how many “pot-gardens” in balconies you will notice while walking the streets of Paris!

Parisians also work hard to move up the corporate ladder and at developing a firm social base. But then, are they any different from North-Americans? And for that matter, isn’t this a worldwide phenomenon? Aren’t we constantly trying to prove ourselves in anything we do, no matter where we live?

And sadly, we’ve become so addicted to proving ourselves, that this mentality has also invaded our spiritual lives. We seem to think that the more good works we do, the better will be our chances of earning a place in heaven! But is this really God’s plan?

Why would God send His son to die on a lonely cross if we could earn Heaven by our own merits? And can we truly earn spiritual bliss? Aren’t we just making a mockery of the One who is the Lover of our soul? If Jesus paid the price of our sin by dying on a cross, then all of our efforts are for nothing. Instead of earning brownie points, when we try to work our way to Heaven we are simply displaying distrust in our Saviour Himself!

“I appreciate what you did for me Jesus, but sorry, it is not enough for me. I doubt that will give me entrance to heaven. I need to earn heaven on my own efforts. In me I can trust!”

Is this what God’s Word teaches us? Is it possible that we have it completely wrong?

Let’s check this out!

“It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” (Rom 9:16-17 NIV)

“What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.” (Rom 9:30-32 NIV)

“And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” (Rom 11:6 NIV)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9 NIV)

I guess I had better start taking my bike to work. Not because I am addicted to works, but because it will give me time to meditate on the awesome grace of God! Can you believe it: I am saved because of what Jesus did for me on the cross! I can’t do anything to earn heaven, except accept Jesus into my heart as my Lord and Savour! How truly amazing He is! Thank you Jesus!

Rob Chaffart

How would you like a job where you are guaranteed in contract to have 1½ to 2 hours for lunch? In fact this offer is so popular that the whole town closes its doors at lunch time, except maybe for gas stations. There is no catch to the offer. You still get to go home at 6:30 pm. Oh, and you don’t have to be at your job until 9:00 am. Moreover on Tuesdays and Thursdays you don’t come until 1:30 pm.! Would that be all right with you?

Sundays you have off as well. After all, shouldn’t you be spending time with your family?

And shouldn’t you be able to buy fresh produce, fresh pastries and fresh bread on a daily basis? No more of that “prison bread” filled with chemicals to keep the appearance of freshness, and no more produce that has been on display for the last two weeks!

To top it off, you also receive the following order: Stop rushing around! Relax! Take it easy! Enjoy life to the fullest!

Does the job sound impossible?

Not at all! Move to Europe! In many European countries this is the norm. The French, the Austrians, the Swiss, and those in many other countries know how to relax and enjoy life. Why not add a practical joke here and there to make life even more spicy?

This is true for our spiritual life as well! Relax! Enjoy your life with Christ living in you. Stop worrying and let Him lead for once. Remember Rom 11:18 “You do not support the root, but the root supports you.” (NIV)

Remember, you don’t live to work, but you work to live. Jesus truly brings real living! “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV)

“Let’s move to Europe!”

Deal!

Rob Chaffart

“Perfect love casts out fear.” (I John 4:16a, 4:18a)

My newborn son was only two weeks old when suddenly one night, a horrific headache hit me and wouldn’t stop. Hubby took me to the emergency room, thinking that with the right meds he would just bring me back home.

It didn’t turn out that way. Seems the headache was the beginning of real trouble. The doctors all consulted then transferred me to a larger hospital where there were neurologists on staff. They made many more tests then determined there was an aneurysm on the brain, but too deeply embedded for it to be surgically repair it. Needless to say, for some time there afterwards, my daily activities were greatly curtailed. Little by little, day by day, I regained my strength and motor capabilities. Eventually, I returned to my former way of life; raising five kids, and serving as church secretary and pastor’s wife.

Fast forward quite a few years. The children are all grown and the last one is in High School. I begin having trouble again with headaches and with my sense of balance. Off to the doctor’s office again. After sonograms to the carotid arteries, it was determined that I needed another arteriogram. Lying there on the table while the doctor threaded the little tiny camera into my brain, I heard the nurse say quietly to the doctor, “Do you see that aneurysm?” The doctor quietly replied, “Yes, I see it.”

I began to complain to the lord (still while under the “don’t care” drugs they give you for such a procedure) “No, God, I don’t want to be paralyzed and a prisoner in my own body! I would rather just go on home to be with you!”

It seemed as if the Lord spoke to me audibly. “Audrey, haven’t I been with you during all the past difficulties?”
 
“Yes, Lord.”
 
“Well then, don’t you think I would be with you this time if I choose to let that aneurysm burst?”
 
“I know Lord.”
 
“Will you love me enough to keep right on trusting me, no matter what I do to you?”
 
Hmmm, I had to think on that one for a bit. Finally, I could say with my whole heart, “Yes, Lord, I will trust You, no matter what. Do with me what You will.”

From that minute on, I began to heal. Never did have to have the brain surgery! I am now 76 years old and that aneurysm has never caused me to be paralyzed, crippled, or mentally impaired. The scar is still there, according to my doctor, but no problem to the things my body needs to do!

You might say, “What happened?”
 
Well, I had thousands praying for me all up and down the eastern seaboard. I had one doctor tell me later after a heart cath, “Well I don’t know if I would call it a miracle, but it sure does rate up there with one!”

You just can’t beat letting God have His way in your life.

Audrey Byars Mullen in Georgia

1 Sam 12:24 Consider what great things he has done for you.

In our trek through fear, we often neglect to consider the validity of such worries. But if we really think about it, memories that testify that our God is, indeed, a caring God, will arise!

“Consider what great things he has done for you.” (1 Sam 12:24 NIV)

While navigating through the streets of my hometown this past summer, I suddenly found myself face to face with the church from my childhood. I knew it well, but when I began talking about it, my sons and my wife looked around, puzzled:

“Where’s the church?”

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“And the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; EVERLASTING JOY will crown their heads. Gladness and signing will flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10 NIV)

In my study of early church history, one of the most fascinating and inspiring stories of faith is told by Perpetua, a young newly converted Christian martyred around the year 200 A.D. in Carthage (near modern Tunisia), North Africa. While in prison, she describes her experience and the events shared with close friend and fellow prisoner Felicitas. Believed to be the first writing generated by a Christian woman, the diary of Perpetua has been especially influential in the lives of many believers.

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Rom 9:1 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
Bienvenue à Paris (Welcome to Paris). La Vie en Rose, Part 16

I had heard numerous rumours that Parisians can be rude to American tourists. What we experienced however, was completely the opposite. It was our experience that Parisians are courteous and friendly beyond one’s imagination, and unlike the abundant tourists, they are always willing to help. Anything from answering questions, to giving directions, to explaining the history of certain places, to restaurant recommendations!

When we approached the Eiffel tower it was cordoned by police officers. In such a situation at home, police officers wouldn’t give you the time of day, but when I asked one of them what was going on, he gently responded that a lady had decided to go for a walk on the wild side.

Several times we needed directions, and every time we got help from a smiling Parisian.

While heading towards the Louvre, an old lady walking by noticed that we were somewhat lost. She stopped in her tracks and approached us with a huge smile, asking us if she could help us somehow. How merciful and caring!

I have to admit that we made an effort to communicate with them in French. Trying to speak the local language instead of expecting them to speak English really helps! I believe that rudeness springs forth from other people when we think only about ourselves and our needs, and require others to adopt our culture. It’s not an attractive way to make friends!

“But,” you may say, “you guys speak French! What if you don’t speak the language?”

It’s true that we speak French. But we found this to be the case in every country we visited. If we greeted the people in their own language, which is easy enough to do with all the travel guides that are readily available, our experience was that they did everything in their power to help us understand! But if we approached them in English, without even trying to speak their language, we generally got the cold shoulder.

This reminds me of a text in Romans: “Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.” (Rom 9:18 NIV) No wonder! If we are rude towards God, how can He truly help us?

“Vous devez m’aider, espèce d’abruti! (You have to help me, moron!)”

“I am sorry, I don’t understand you.”

“Vous n’essayez même pas de me comprendre! Escroc ! (You don’t even try to understand me ! Crook!)”

“I am sorry. I prefer to concentrate on more positive matters.”

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.” (Phil 4:8 NIV)

How are we treating others around us?

Rob Chaffart

“While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22); “You have set all the borders of the earth; You have made summer and winter.” (Psalm 74:17).

In all of the seasons of the year, winter is seen as the most unproductive, coldest, most dreary and dull season.  A season of no growth, of barrenness and lifeless images.  It is never a season one longs for.  I have never heard any individual say “I can’t wait for winter”, or “There is so much fun I am going to have”, or even “I wish winter would come sooner”.

Nighttime predominates the winter season.  Much like the winters in our life.  Where there is darkness all around us and we can’t see any life, growth or even fruit.  The first thoughts that enter our hearts are thoughts of dismay,

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Rom 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Shy Shyness. La Vie en Rose, Conclusion

Some people are bold and some are shy. Some are open and friendly, and others are more closed in. There is nothing wrong with being either way, for this is the personality God has given you. What can be extremely stressful for someone is to be forced to be what they are not!

While walking near Notre Dame de Paris, I spotted a police officer sitting in his police car. I approached the officer and politely asked him if I could take a picture of his car. His response? “Non, merci” (no thank you). I could have easily taken his picture anyway, especially with my tele-zoom lens, and he wouldn’t have even known I had done it. But this wouldn’t have been right!

While riding the train from Paris to Belgium, I was taking pictures left and right. When I came to the train’s snack bar however, the server politely asked me to not take his picture. When I told him I only wanted a picture of the snack bar, he said that was okay, and he proceeded to hide behind the counter so I could take my picture without him in it. Very innovative! The server honoured me greatly by doing this!

My youngest son used to be shy as well. One day, when he was about three years old, I took him to the bank with me. As I was waiting in line, a stranger stared at him. My son’s face disappeared into the shelter of my arms. I really couldn’t blame him! I wish I could have hidden under a counter or a nearby advertisement board as well. But then, that would have looked suspicious, wouldn’t it? When the stranger couldn’t get my son’s attention, he touched his hair. My son looked him straight in the eye and said, “Stop that! I’m shy!” By this time everybody in the waiting line realized what was happening and started laughing, and after that, the stranger left my son alone. It isn’t easy for some to accept that others are different, but to tell you the truth, we are all different from one another.

Some differences are more subtle, while others are quite pronounced. That is what makes this world such a beautiful place! If we embrace and accept these differences, we will be duly blessed. Honouring others above ourselves, despite their differences, will be a living testimony. It also will avoid unnecessary stress! “Excuse me, can I take your picture? “Do you see my fist?” “Your face will be just fine!” … Boum!!! “What did I do wrong?” Rob Chaffart

DUNDEE
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’” Matthew 18:21 NIV

Dundee is a huge marmalade boy that lives at my house. Dundee has many things to be thankful for - like his loving home. Until he was about 4 months old his home was a rescue shelter. Until my daughter and grandsons adopted him, he was living in a wire cage in a veterinarian’s office. Oh, the cage was roomy and he had plenty of food and water and when the office closed for the day he was allowed out to play - but he didn’t have a forever home until my family presented him to me.

He has been one of the joys of my life since he arrived that Friday afternoon. He plays and asks to be petted and makes sure he is around at mealtime - and HE CAN PURR! He purrs so loudly that he sounds like a motor.

Dundee has some major dislikes and prejudices and he never forgives. For instance, Salida is a beautiful and very sweet tempered golden retriever that lives with my daughter’s family. She would be a great playmate if only Dundee would come down off his high horse long enough to make friends. Instead, he hides and slinks around growling and hissing. He misses out on a lot by holding this prejudice.

Another of his prejudices is against my daughter AND her family. When any of them come into the house he hides. Why does he do this? Well, once, when it was necessary for him to go someplace in the car my daughter put him into a carrier. He didn’t want to get into that carrier. In fact he objected strongly, to the point where she had to hold his legs so he would fit through the door. Dundee has NEVER forgotten that indignity. He not only holds a grudge against her but also each and every member of her family. They come in and he hides. He misses out on a lot of petting and attention - something he usually loves - by hanging on to this prejudice.

I know some people who are a lot like Dundee. They hang onto their prejudices with both hands. I think we miss out on a lot of good things because we are blinded by some imagined slight, by someone who looks or sounds different or maybe it is someone who worships in a different way than we do. They never forgive or forget. Isn’t it great that God doesn’t hold grudges? That He loves us all? No matter our colour, or what we’ve done? If we ask in Jesus’ name, God forgives and never stops loving us. He says in his word, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be white as wool”. Isaiah 1:18 So what should we do? Hide from the things that we don’t like and maybe miss out on good times or should we welcome all experiences and learn from them?

Dundee is only a cat. God didn’t create him with the ability to think and reason -what, I wonder, is our excuse?
 
Wynona Gordon

Col 3:12 
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. The Message)
One Hug

Being a nursing aid in a home for the elderly, one never seemed to be amazed at anything. This cool September morning the minister’s wife and her daughter came to the home to visit the residents. The residents always looked forward to the minister’s wife visit but this was special, she was bringing her daughter.

Sitting in a corner of the living area was an elderly lady named Grace. Grace was so unhappy and it seemed that nothing could comfort her. Her families had brought her here over a year ago and have visited only once. Many families did that but some of the residents could deal with it while Grace could not.

Grace’s chin was on her chest and her white hair fell forward covering her face where silent tears rolled unto pale cheeks.

The young girl looked over at her and walked over to the darkened corner. She kneeled down and looked into moist blue eyes. A wide smile crossed her face as she said, “Hello, I am Beth, what is your name?”

Grace lifted her head and looked at the beautiful young girl who stood in front of her. She wiped the moisture from her cheek and whispered. “I am Grace, my dear; it is so nice to meet you.” A soft smile appeared on her face as she looked into the excited green eyes of the young lady standing before her.

Beth leaned over and gave Grace a big hug.

We all stood there with mouths wide open. Beth hugged Grace, and Grace hugged her back. In the whole year of her being in the home no one could ever remember her smiling let alone give a hug. Wow! The aids were amazed and even tears fell freely. That one act of kindness from a young girl who was only 8, made a big difference in another’s life.

Beth visited with her mother often and always went straight to Grace for her hug. They would visit and smile and laugh, they became such wonderful friends.

Over four years passed and Beth was always there for her visit with Grace. The one day she came Grace was not in her corner. She skipped down to her room thinking she was resting. The room was dark and empty.

The head nurse seen her and walked slowly towards her.

“Beth, I so wanted to catch you before you came and I did call but you had already left. Honey, Grace passed away late last night”

Beth looked at the nurse and said, “Oh my, Grace told me that she would soon be with her Lord. She has gone home to be with Jesus. She was so looking forward to that. Told me she would miss me but for me not to worry for she would be so very happy.”

A tear ran down Beth’s cheek, as she added, “I shall so miss her. I did so love her.”

The nurse watched Beth as she walked away. She wondered if that young lady had any idea of just how many lives she had touched with one hug.

Beth walked slowly; she was filled with so many emotions. Yes, she would so miss her Grace but she was so happy that Grace was home with Jesus.

Grace’s family made the arrangements for the funeral but Beth was not told where or when. This broke her heart. Still every week she would go to the nursing home and chat and hug the beautiful people there.

Years later, Beth was in charge of a large nursing home in the state of Ohio. She loved her work and she insisted that anyone working there would treat the residents with respect and dignity. Beth always told those who asked that she is working in the nursing home because of a wonderful precious lady named Grace. Grace had shown her how important all people are.

Today was a special day for Beth and the residents; Beth was bringing her daughter Grace to work with her. Everyone was looking forward to that.

Sharon Niese nananpopo@wcnet.org

Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.
Rumors

It is mid-November as I write this article, and the most pressing topic in the news, as well as in everyone’s conversation is the swine flu or the influenza A(H1N1).

The outbreak was first detected on March 18, 2009, in Mexico City. Before it was over, hundreds of Mexicans succumbed to the disease, and most of the city had to be closed down.

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Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
The Note

I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow-creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. - Etienne de Grellet, French poet and missionary (1773-1855)

Winter break had started off with a tragedy for one of the boys in the fifth grade class I was teaching. His mother had died in a fire when she entered the house a second time to save the boy’s younger twin brothers.

I had just a few minutes to go to the funeral home before leaving for the airport to join the rest of the family in Florida. It was a drizzly day with fog and no sunlight. Anticipating that I would miss him, I wrote him a note.

If anyone could identify with what he was going through, I could, because I had lost my father in a gas explosion. The only difference was that I was much older when my father had his tragic accident.

Winter break over, we all returned to school. My fifth grader became distant, so I played it by ear and never mentioned the loss. I wasn’t too surprised, and could parallel some of his feelings, as I could never mention my father’s death or discuss it with anyone for years.

Summer break came and we all parted. When the fall term started, the boy’s former minister came to me with the news that the family had moved out of the county.

I asked how the boy was doing.

To my surprise, he responded, “Oh Freda, I want you to know he carried that note from you in his pocket until it was so frayed it was hardly legible.”

I was drawn almost to tears realizing that in a covert way, I had helped this boy through the greatest tragedy in his life.

Prayer: Lord, help us to realize that we do make a difference in individual lives, even though many times, how we do so is unknown to us. May we always strive to lessen the heartbreaks in life, because we will only pass this way once. Amen.

Freda Van Winkle frforte@citznet.com 
Warren, Indiana, USA

Ps 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
When Grapes Ferment:

Fear Factor, Part 1

We all face our own fears.

One of my worst fears while attending seminary was silly. I was actually afraid to one day show up in church without a tie. Ridiculous, isn’t it?

Until the day I taught Sunday school in front of a large group of people. Being European, I can’t help talking with my hands, and I had made sure that I was at a safe distant from those around me! But while explaining some Biblical point, one of my hands flew directly to my tie, only to discover, to my utter horror, that it wasn’t there.

Needless to say, I turned beet red, and at that exact moment, I wished I could have become invisible! But then, that would have been quite scary to my audience, wouldn’t it? One of their worst fears might have become a reality!

To tell you the truth, no one ever mentioned my goof. Maybe my fears about the tie hadn’t been warranted after all!

One of the worst fears of one of my seminary buddies was to enter the seminary grounds drunk. And what makes this fear really silly is that this was someone who had never touched alcohol in his life!

That is, until that sunny day in May where he went for a bike ride in the mountains.

He rode quickly and his exertion left him tired and thirsty. When he reached a little village near the seminary, he stopped at a store for a drink. All that was available was a big container of grape juice, which he purchased, and then he climbed up a nearby hill and stretched out in the sunshine. Unfortunately for him, he fell asleep before even tasting his grape juice.

Now this day in May was unusual hot, and he woke up even thirstier than he had been when he purchased his juice. He opened the container and downed it completely. For some reason it didn’t taste the way he had expected it to, but hey, when you’re thirsty, you’re thirsty! Nothing will stop you from satisfying your thirst!

What he didn’t realize was that while he had taken his long nap, his grape juice bottle had been sitting in the direct sunshine. Now grape juice doesn’t fair well in extreme heat, and while he was making his little trip into dreamland, his juice had fermented. Because he had never tasted alcohol, he ingested the entire bottle without realizing what he was doing. Believe me, he would remember the distinct taste of alcohol for the rest of his life!

Yes, one of his worst fears came true. He was quite inebriated when he rode his bike back onto seminary property. Though he was never reprimanded for this, he still learned an invaluable lesson about the power of solar energy on grape juice!

In both of these situations, the fears were completely unwarranted. Isn’t this true of most of our fears? Why worry when most of the things we fear will never happen, and even if they do, the consequences are usually quite different than what we anticipated!

David proclaims: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (Ps 34:4 NIV) We really have nothing to fear with God as our guide! Why do we even worry?

“But what about the time I faced certain death?”

Prov 14:32 “Even in death the righteous have a refuge.” NIV

Rob Chaffart