Covenant Church

Our 26 month-old granddaughter when with us is our "home entertainment center," so like her dad when he was a child. Recently, she was playing with a stethoscope. I took it and placed the pieces to her ears. The diaphragm I placed on her heart. The raw-eyed wonder of that moment is indelibly imprinted in my memory. She then proceeded to go to every person in the room listening to their heartbeat.

There is no sign of depression more ominous than the loss of WONDER. When a person comes to the point of failing to marvel at the mysteries, glory, and beauty of life there is no life.

Saturday night Laila and I joined the Tom Bouch Family--four children, four in-laws, 15 grandchildren, and Tom and Darlene. Tom has aggressive cancer. Future uncertain. It was with some effort that Darlene and the boys helped him to the living room and made him comfortable in a favorite chair. Well, maybe comfortable. He did not say.

What I know is that Tom smiled the whole two and a half hours. His eyes looked fondly from grandchild to grandchild. He spoke to his children and in-laws lovingly assuring them that He had drawn closer to Jesus. Not once did he complain. Not once did he mention pain. He was captured by the laughter of his family. His boys and daughter told funny stories of past family events. It was a wondrous time.

I have been visiting Roy Williams, a WWII veteran of the Battle of Bastogne and Battle of the Bulge. Five times pneumonia has attacked Roy's lungs. Fluid in his lungs and other problems persist.

Both of Roy's knees were wounded in battle by an artillery shell that destroyed the jeep. The Army wanted to send Roy home. Roy refused and insisted he be treated in a battlefield clinic. The clinic moved forward with the advancing battle. Roy healed and went back to intelligence work beyond the front lines. He was among those rescued when surrounded by Germans in the Battle of Bastogne.

Roy and Loraine were childhood sweethearts. Both married others and had wonderful marriages. Their spouses died. Roy was over 70 years old when he and Loraine married. His home church is Baptist. For years they have come to Covenant's Early Service and traveled 25 miles to attend the morning service of his home church.

I sat by his bed for a while last week and watched him sleep. I so respect him for being a war hero, loving Loraine, loving children (his only son died), and loving Jesus. He is a wonderful person.

Padam came to church yesterday. He has sarcoma cancer originating in his head. Doctors give a gloomy report. Padam is Nepalese. He has only known Jesus four years. All of his family has come to Jesus. Padam's head is swollen. He is barely able to see through his swollen eyelids. He sat in the front row only feet from the pulpit. An inspiration. A wonder.

Bettie Christian lived her life as a mother and employee of a chemical plant. She did not finish her B.A. until she was a grandmother. After she retired she worked in a care facility. One day Laila said to me: "Have you thought about Bettie being part of the pastoral staff?"

Bettie was an Elder and servant-hearted. I did talk with her. She joined the pastoral staff. Last Saturday I was participant as she led a prayer retreat. I thought about all those years of her working in a chemical plant and other places. Finally, she is where her life is full. She is such a blessing. A Wonder.

There are countless wonders. I hope you will look around you. Take time to be amazed at what God has created. Study a flower. Look at the many species of fish, different colors of green, and splash of color as Fall comes.

Marvel at the skills and talents God has given people. Take a spiritual stethoscope. Listen to your heartbeat. Is it for Jesus?

It has taken me weeks to accomplish a success. I say to my granddaughter: "Papa loves ...." And she responds "Rorie." I follow with "and Rorie loves..." and she with laughter says "Papa."

See the wonder of this simple exchange in your heart as you say to Jesus your love. He responds "I love you too!"

Now go and share the faith. Can you imagine if angels in heaven rejoice when a sinner is saved how wonderful it is? Make wonder happen. Invite someone to Jesus!

Much love,

Pastor Bare

Proverbs 11:30b

A NOTE TO CONGREGATION FROM PASTOR BARE