Mother's Day 05/09/2011
 
I hope all the mothers out there had a great mother's day.  I wrote a thank you to God for the mothers in my life.  It is called 'Many Mothers".  I hope you enjoy it.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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Hello everyone

I wanted to share an e-mail my boss sent out to our work staff.  In it he, basically, shares how important it is to have Christ shared to others.  God has been a wonderful blessing to me and my family.  I am happy to glorify God through the kind words of another.  Thanks Nathan.

Yesterday at Greenlawn church there was an unusual event. The sermon was on testimony and witnessing.  After a brief introduction many Greenlawn elders came forward with prepared cardboard signs.  Each sign held by each elder [. . .] had their sins or struggles written on one side.  They presented this to the audience in silence one at a time from the center podium.  Then they flipped the sign over and written there was the change God had done in their lives.  For me, it was a powerful example.

The preacher then asked everyone in the pews to pull out a comment card and do what the elders had done.  We were to write struggles and what God had done on opposite sides of the card.  We were supposed to do it right then and the service paused for five minutes.

Some of the girls in cottage [. . .] and John and Crystal Reeves sat behind my family and I during the service.  I had kept on eye on the teen girls, as always, and noticed that, as always, they were drawing pictures and reading books and writing notes.  One was studying her softball playbook. They do this respectfully, but generally unaware of the sermon.  They are teenagers.

However . . . apparently the elders action got their attention.  I was able to read one of the girls notes afterward, offered freely.  On the "Struggles" side of the note it said 'don't live with parents'.  On the "What God has done" side it said 'God gave me two godly foster parents who love me'.
 
In case anyone forgot, what we do here matters greatly.  We do it in the shadows it seems, and get very few pats on the back or big awards or recognition.  Jesus tells us "Then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you."  I have a hunch that the secret rewards will be worth the wait.
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Overwhelmed? 08/06/2010
 
"The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot" (Proverbs 10:7).

Yesterday, my dog was taken to the vet.  It turned out to be a situation of dire-straights.  Surgery was needed or he would die.

It wasn't long ago that my wife found out that she had cancer.  Talk about dire-straights.  Well, she eventually died.  I have never been so distressed in my life.

I was amazed at how the situation with my dog flooded me with emotions.  I had to deal with a doctor, sickness, money, loss, lack of control, tears, and fear.  It took me back to my wife and the love and challenges that came with illness.

But in all things, I remember that I can turn and should turn to God.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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Why I Write 05/07/2010
 
"For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10).

Jesus had a mission.  His mission is the mission of all His followers - to seek and save the lost.

About four years ago my first wife died to cancer.  I have never felt so much pain and loss.  Fortunately, I know with whom she put her faith and trust.  So, in that respect I am happy for her.  Yet, I still feel the pain.  (See my article on God, Do You Love Me?).

Yet, imagine how Jesus feels when those whom He loves reject Him.  Does He feel loss?  Absolutely.  Does He feel pain?  Undoubtedly.  Does He allow people to choose?  Without a doubt.

I write because I know the hope there is in an obedient faith in Christ.  I write because I feel pain of loss.  I write because I know Jesus desire.  I write because I want all to know God through His Son - Jesus.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Grieving is a natural part of loss but not an easy one.  The loss can be anything from a job loss to the loss of a loved one.  (Please, see my article on God, Do You Love Me?)  But those who are in Christ have hope - Heaven.  Heaven is a place where God is and He promises to wiped away all our tears.  How glorious that will be. 

There are a couple of books on loss and grieving in my reference section.  It is hard to know what to say or how to act when someone is tramatized by loss and in the process of grieving.  My advice, as one who has experience the loss of a spouse, is not to give advice unless asked.  Be a good listener and offer a hug in quietness.  Yet, the best thing that can be done for someone in any loss situation is being proactive with the teachings of Christ.  The greatest gift you can give any person is the knowledge that the Lord is on thier side regardless of life's experiences.  Don't wait to teach them, and all people you come in contact with, the true Gospel of Christ and then "brothers . . . you may not grieve as others do who have no hope (I Thessalonians 4:13).

I encourage you to teach others, daily, about the hope in Christ.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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