My heart is overflowing with joy. My mind is joyfully overflowing!
When asked “What was the highlight of your trip to Israel?” I am at a loss for words. It’s like asking which color frosting tastes the best: it’s all frosting! Every moment, every location, every lecture was just more frosting on the cake of getting to walk in Israel.
As a student, I learned so much and (More here!)
Today is Brian’s last day of work; he is retiring from the corporate world… again. OK, so the first time didn’t ‘take’, but now that he’s practiced once, maybe he’ll get the hang of it and stick it out!
Brian, I feel like I should be doing something huge to mark this occasion. I should find more here
It’s time to unpack the summer shoes! Well, for those of us in the Midwest, we might unpack them, but we probably won’t wear them for another month. But that’s OK; it gives us time to ease into them. You see, Midwest winters are so long that our feet forget what it’s like to wear sandals.
We can’t just jump into our strappy shoes and hop over here
The stories your mom and grandma tell about your childhood makes me wish I had known you back then. From the toddler who cried and wanted to send her new baby sister back to wherever she came from, to the adolescent who declared that she would one day become a Supreme Court Justice, you sound like a fun child to be around.
But I will always remember the first time we met. I’d been hearing about you from Bobby for a few weeks…
“Mom, there’s this girl I’m seeing. We’re going out again.”
“I think I might stay in Champaign this summer, is that OK?”
“She’s pretty special, I think you should come down and meet her”
And so we did. And, we fell in love with you, too.
Jenny, you are the perfect fit for Bobby. Your personalities complement each other and you bring out the best in him. You challenge him to be all that he can be. You support him in his endeavors whether it is tinkering around the house, or developing a deeper love for the Lord and serving God. You are truly Bobby’s “Helper”
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” – Genesis 2:18 NLT
We loved visiting our newlyweds in your first apartment in Evanston. As a new bride, working your way through law school, you always had time for Bobby and our family. And, what a joy it was when Bobby had all of us down for your graduation celebration. He is so proud to be your husband!
Jenny, of the many things I admire about you there are two that stand out: Your gracious personality and your loyalty to those you love.
You are gracious: You forgive offenses quickly. You always put other people first. You work hard to maintain and strengthen relationships. You serve the Lord willingly. You try to see things from God’s perspective. And you always have time for what is important.
Your loyalty to your family is observable in your words and actions. You and your sisters have each others’ backs no matter what. You look for the best in each other and you quickly give the benefit of the doubt. Your devotion to your family is admirable. Your unending prayers for them are a testimony to your faith in God.
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children – with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. – Psalm 103:17-18 NIV
Your mom and dad must have done many things right to raise a young woman who loves both them and the Lord so deeply.
I am so thankful that you are a part of our family. As you know, I have prayed for you since before I met you. It is my privilege to continue to pray for you, both as your mother-in-law and as your friend.
Our boys are great athletes, and Brian is a great coach. His words of advice sometimes transcend the playing field.
I recall one such instance when our youngest was in Little League. During spring practice he was playing catch with a boy he didn’t know very well and had no idea of this other boy’s baseball ability. Because of his uncertainty, and not wanting to overpower or humiliate the other boy, our son held back. After practice, Brian asked him why he wasn’t throwing as he usually did.
Our son told Brian he wasn’t sure the other boy could catch the ball, so he didn’t throw hard, he lobbed in a few tosses. Brian responded, “Son, it is your responsibility to throw with authority. To place the ball where it needs to be. His responsibility is to catch it.”
If only Christians could grasp that truth as it applies to living, speaking truth, and sharing the Gospel. Sometimes it seems like we’re so afraid others won’t, or can’t catch the whole truth that we water it down, pretty it up, or lob it in so gently that it fails to reach the mark. No one benefits if the truth is not clearly given with authority so that it might be fully received.
Sometimes Christians (myself included) present the Gospel through our words, entertainment, books, Bible studies, and even our lives as if we are ashamed of it. Or as if we don’t think the receiver is capable of carching it. We forget Paul’s words in Romans:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” – Romans 1:16-17 NIV
What is the Gospel? It is the power of God that brings salvation! It is the human life, the physical death, the resurrection, and the exaltation of Jesus. The Gospel is Jesus.
Why do we need the Gospel? Because we are sinners born with a sin nature. By our very nature, we deserve God’s just wrath.
“All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desire and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.” – Ephesians 2:3 NIV
We are so afraid that we might offend “seekers” by speaking about sin and the need for salvation that we speak of other things: miracles, healing, freedom, love, peace, joy. But how wise is that? The truth is that no one seeks God apart from God’s drawing that person to Him. If anyone seeks at all, he/she is seeking the whole truth. We must speak it with authority.
“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away… There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:10-18 NIV
“No one can come to me [Jesus] unless the Father who sent me draws them… Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.” John 6:44-45 NIV
If someone is seeking the Way, the Truth and the Life why wouldn’t we give them Jesus in all His beauty? We don’t need to pretty up the Gospel; it is glorious, cleansing, and freeing as it stands.
If we don’t speak the truth of Jesus with authority when we are introducing people to him, how will they be prepared when the reality of life hits. If all we do is lob softballs through our teaching, how do we expect anyone to deal with the hardballs of life?
In that Little League practice, our son was afraid the other player might drop the ball, but if the ball wasn’t catchable, whose error would it be? The game of life is short. People are dying. Jesus is the only way to eternal life. Will you speak truth and pitch the Gospel with authority?
Marcia Furrow 