Covenant Church

It is just past 4:30 a.m., and I can’t sleep. There is no mouse in the house, no fretting or worrying -- just thinking about “Beautiful Things.”

Ask most folks about shoo-fly pie and they will just shake their heads to say: “Never heard of it”. Ask the Bouch family who came from Amish and Brethren Country in Pennsylvania, and they will say “Oh, yes.”

To those who have never experienced shoo-fly pie the thought may be: “Is it made of flies?” But those who have experienced the delight of this dessert know the truth: shoo-fly pie is so rich -- so sweet, that if there is a fly within half-a-mile (little exaggeration), it will try to get into the kitchen. And if there is a fly present, just shoo it away and keep on eating.

This puts me in mind of the psychiatrist who had twin boy patients. One was an optimist—happy with everything. The other was a pessimist-happy with nothing. The parents referred the boys to the psychiatrist seeking help about Christmas presents. They were deeply concerned about over-reaction by both boys.

Psychiatrist’s advice: Give the pessimist a whole room full of new toys—floor to ceiling. Give the optimist a whole room full of horse manure.

Christmas morning came. The pessimist trudged down the steps and opened the door with his name. The room was filled with every toy imaginable. He slammed the door and moped away muttering, “Who cares about toys? They’ll just get broken.”

The optimist bounded the steps two at a time, risking breaking his neck with enthusiasm. Flung open the door with his name on it, saw the horse manure, backed up, took a running leap, landed in the middle of the manure and began digging with his hands.

Alarmed parents frantically asked: “Son, Son, what are you doing?”

The boy never slowed down and breathlessly exclaimed: “With this much horse manure, there must be a horse somewhere nearby!”

How do you see it: is the gas in your car half full or half empty? How do your see it: is anyone perfect, or are there a lot of beautiful people in your life? How do you see it: is the Church filled with hypocrites, or is the Church the blessed, wonderful, and glorious Body of Christ? How do you see it: you can’t trust anybody in these times, or do you know countless beautiful people who are dear brothers and sisters and friends? How do you see it: do you believe that other people do not appreciate a helping hand, or do you believe that many people would do better if they knew how to do better and had a helping hand—just a little bit of help? How do you see it: is this world a terrible and awful place to be, or do you see and rejoice that the greatest revival in all of history is happening RIGHT NOW!?

How you answer will tell a lot about your character and attitude toward life. It may even be the definition of whether you are a pessimist or an optimist.

Things beautiful: last Saturday Laila and I visited the home of Kunle, a 26 year-old Nigerian who came to the United States at age 16 to go to college. He had skipped two grades of schooling because of his intelligence. He graduated from college age twenty. Now an engineer, this single young man just bought his first home. As we walked through every room prayerfully dedicating his new home to God, there was joy in our hearts for the beauty of a young man who so loves God!

Laila and I have had eight social functions in our home in the past two weeks. About 160 persons have attended. The bubbling optimism, the glorious testimonies, the times of fun, food, fellowship, and prayer have been more beautiful than I can describe in this letter.

This Sunday Laila and I will celebrate 39 years of marriage and three additional years of courtship. It is beautiful that I love her more today than the day I married her! I love being with her. I am fascinated by her yet persistent determination to be an individual, even while our lives are inseparably intertwined.

Of things beautiful I may tell you about last Saturday’s children’s Christmas presentation with a houseful and people in the OT Sanctuary. I may tell you of Sunday morning services in which the Spirit of the Lord is moving regularly in powerful and beautiful ways to draw precious souls to Jesus. I may tell you of the Christmas drama that will be presented this week Thursday thru Sunday. I may tell you of a deacons’ meeting that turned into a prayer meeting. I may tell you of emails from missionary friends from around the world who almost daily send greetings, ask for counsel, and indicate that they are praying for Covenant Church. I may tell you that after twenty-four years as Senior Pastor of Covenant Church, my optimism is at an all-time high. This is the hour! God is pouring out His Spirit, and Covenant Church is receiving His mercy and grace.

Oh, I must apologize. No I am not getting sleepy. I am running out of space. The more I write the more beautiful things I think about. I have not yet mentioned my children and grandchildren, faithful family, friends who have never been to Covenant Church but who share in ministry with us.

I have not yet mentioned that all of this joy is singularly resident in the blessedness of Jesus Christ who came to dispel darkness and be The Light of the World. He is a Light no man can dim. I think I am going to explode with happiness. I don’t need a psychiatrist; I just need a lot of folks to join with me in praising Him who is Life and Light: Jesus Christ, the Beautiful!

With love,
Pastor Bare