A Beautiful Life Lived

People say that Molokai Island in Hawaii is one of the most scenic and beautiful places on the face of the earth.  There are gorgeous sea clifts where one can see the ocean for miles.  Molokai Isaland is also infamous for being the home of 114 lepers.  Years ago, Molokai Island was selected as the place where lepers were banished to live because of it’s isolation from other parts of the mainland.  Here, individuals who had contacted this deadly disease were doomed to live out their lives totally separated from family, friends, and the support of society.  They were left on this island to fend for themselves and make something out of their miserable lives.

There was a gentleman by the name of Joseph Damien who heard about the plight of the lepers on Molokai Island.  He heard of their suffering, their isolation from society (for health reasons), and the hopeless condition they faced every day.  His heart became touched by their misery and so he decided to go and live among them.  He wanted to be “a light” in their darkness.  Over time he grew to love these people as his own family.  He knew that once this decision was made, he would never be able to return to the homeland.  But,  he was willing to make this sacrifice so that these people would feel valued and loved.  He realized that beneath the leprous skin, were people created in the image of God who needed love, acceptance and kindness shown to them.  Joseph lived among them for many years teaching them of God’s love in the Bible, and showing them God’s love by the way he cared for them.  

One day, while Joseph was preparing a meal, he accidentally poured boiling water on his foot.  To his amazement he felt no pain.  It was then that he realized that he had contacted leprosy and would soon die from it himself.  Joseph Damien is a beautiful picture of a man who gave his life away for others.  He saw value in others, even though their outer appearance said something else.  He learned to look beyond the disease, to the person that God had made deep inside.

Whom can you give yourself for today?  This week?  Is there someone that you can show value towards?  Or, extend a helping hand to?  Or, help relieve some of their suffering?  I guess if we ALL look around us, there are many people that we can love and show kindness to with our lives, our smiles, our kindnesses, a listening ear.  Why not let “your light shine” today!  Determine that you, too, will live a beautiful life and bring value to those around you!

Another Saturday Comes and Goes

Today was a very relaxing and quiet day.  It was a beautiful Fall day in Indiana with the trees beginning to change colors.  I watched some football on TV, ran some errands, and spent some nice time with my wife.  It was a great day to take a drive during the afternoon and just enjoy the beauty God has made.

It has been four months since I have had the privilege of preparing a sermon and preaching God’s Word.  I miss the preparatiion time.  I enjoy reading, studying, and putting notes together.  I find those times to be verty invigorating and inspiring.  I miss the discipline that that brings to my life.  I miss digging into the Word of God and readying my spirit to speak on Sundays.  I prayerfully wait for God to open a door of ministry for my wife and me.  In the meantime, I am diligently writing search committees and sending my resume out anticipating a new ministry opportunity to open up soon.  I am getting “antsy” waiting, and pray for faith to keep trusting in God’s goodness and guidance.  I know He has a plan!

I am trying to use this time as an opportunity for personal growth.  I want to keep sharpening my skills and be ready for whatever God has in mind!  Keep Mary Lou and I in your prayers that God will direct us.  We appreciate the love that many of you have shared with us in this tough time.

“For I am confident that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.”      Philippians 1:6

How Do I Achieve Excellence?

“We are what we are because of what we do with our opportunities.”

                                                                                                  George Sweeting

The Yellow Mum

I’ve been going on a 3-mile walk every morning now for two months.  I had reached a point where I knew that I needed to be in better shape and felt that this kind of vigorous exercise would be just what I needed.  I have come to really enjoy this time of walking, not only for the great physical workout that I get from it, but also the quality time I get to spend with God.  These times have allowed me the opportnity to be vulnerable before God and talk “heart to heart” with Him.  (If you don’t have a time like this set aside in your daily, or weekly schedule, I would highly recommend it!)

Towards the end of my 3-mile journey I pass a home with the most beautiful yellow mum that I have ever seen.  It is so full, and large, and just screaming with brilliant yellow color.  It’s awesome!  I remember the very first time my eyes fell upon that flower.  I was nearing the end of my walk.  I was weary and exhausted. My spirit was heavy with the financial difficulties that my family is going through right now.  As I was walking and praying my eyes fell upon that beautiful mum…it made me smile!  It was so beautiful!  It was almost as if the mum spoke to me, “See how beautiful I am, Dave.  God made me this way.  He has given me all of this gorgeous color.  He sends sunshine and rain, and all the nutrients I need in the soil to keep me radiant each day.  There’s nothing I have to do but smile every day.  Dave, He can do that for you!  He can make your life beautiful.  He can take all of your stresses, disappointments, struggles, and pain and use it so that your life will bring Him glory.  Just trust Him and smile.”

Now, I know flowers don’t talk!  But there’s something about this mum that blesses me every day when I pass it.  In fact, I often find myself smiling when I see it.  It’s like a reminder to me of God’s love and mercy.  It’s a reminder that God is still at work within me, making something beautiful of my life. 

You know, there’s so many ugly, negative things that can go through our minds every day.  It’s good to be reminded by the things of nature (a sunrise, a beautiful flower, a gentle breeze, a rose petal, the smell of fresh mown grass, a gorgeous sunset) that there is a Creator God who loves each of us, values us, and has the very best in mind for our lives.  All around us are evidences of His love.  I believe if we will open our eyes and our hearts to those beautiful things around us (including the people in our lives), we will find renewed encouragement to live a life of faith and hope, in the midst of the daily struggles and pressures that we all face

Is there something that God is using in your life to speak to you?

My Love’s Birthday!

Today is my wife’s birthday.  I am so fortunate to have such a loving, supportive wife who is also my best friend.  It has been a great day helping her celebrate this special day.  This evening, Jon and Michelle, took us out to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate Mary Lou’s birthday.  We had a great time!

My wife is such a blessing to me.  I am so glad that God led her into my life.  Happy Birthday, dearie!