Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Jeff Ferro

As most of you already know, Jeff Ferro passed away yesterday morning after a 3 year battle with cancer. Jeff and his wife,Terri, are both just dear people with a phenominal faith. In Terri's, words, Jeff has been promoted to heaven! Please be in prayer for Terri, their precious girls, Lexi and Ellie, Jeff's parents, and their family.

To the Ferro family, we love you!

Jeff's Memorial Service will be this Saturday, September 26 at 2 p.m. at Pace Community Church. More info can be found at Jeff's Caring Bridge Page at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jeffferro


In His Love, Cathy

Monday, September 21, 2009

Be an Encourager

"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing."
1 Thessalonians 5:11
I have many friends and family who are enduring some really tough trials right now. At times it's so overwhelming that I don't even know how to help them. In fact, in some cases there is nothing anyone can do to 'fix' the problem. In other cases, it seems they are in impossible circumstances that only God can intervene and turn things around. In these cases I find myself at a loss of what to even say or do.

However, we can look to Scripture to see how we can help those who are in seemingly impossible circumstances. We can encourage them and stand alongside them in their trials. Edifying one another...encouraging one another, especially in the midst of trials is so very important.

First, we must encourage one another in the faith, in good times and bad. By consistently encouraging one another, we grow a foundation that grounds one another so that we are prepared when trials and troubles hit. How do we encourage one another? By focusing on Christ and His coming glory. "Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 Worshipping together, meditating on God's Word, reminding each other of the victory we have in Christ and His coming glory is some very strong encouragement. In the worst of times, we can meditate on this picture and remember WHO is going to win in the end! Hallelujah!

Second, we can encourage one another through prayer. Praying one for another, interceding one for another, on our knees petitioning our loving God for one another is some very awesome encouragement. Collosians 4:2 says, " Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart." We see an example of Paul praying for his young assistant, Timothy. In 2 Timothy 1:3, Paul writes "Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers." Why did Paul remember Timothy in his prayers? Because they were friends. In fact Timothy was like a son to Paul. Because Timothy was a young man, he faced some unique challenges in preaching and teaching the Gospel. Paul understood the challenges Timothy faced and wrote words of encouragement to him (1 and 2 Timothy) as well as having prayed for him. Prayer with and for one another is such a great encourager.

Third, we can encourage one another simply by offering our support. We may not be able to fix the problem our friend is facing, but we can come along side of them and support them through our words and our actions. Sometimes all we can do is just be there for them - to listen, to pray, and to wrap our arms around them. Loving on them and reaffirming God's love for them can go a long way in the midst of trials.

I have some wonderful friends who are amazing at encouraging others. They seem to know exactly what to say and what to do. When I see them, I think my own efforts of encouragement fall short. Encouraging others is one of my weaknesses. What to say or do sometimes escapes me. Maybe you feel awkward and don't know just quite how to encourage others. Don't let that keep you from being an encourager. Don't worry about saying or doing the wrong thing. Give it an honest effort and simply do your best. Believe me, it will be appreciated. You can also observe those who are encouragers. What kinds of things do they say and do? Their example can show you how you can be an encourager.

Though some of us are far more gifted at encouraging than others, let all of us "... never get tired of doing good." (2 Thess. 3:13)

Grace and peace, friends.
In His Love, Cathy

Sunday, September 20, 2009

In the Face of Adversity

"So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters[a] all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.

10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen. " 1 Peter 5:6-11

The storms of life seem to hit us at the most innopportune times. In addition when they hit, it's usually one right after another. The waves of the storm beating us down, weakening us with feelings of anxiety and stress. It seems we can hardly come up for air before another hits, knocking our feet right out from under us. These storms can be so overwhelming that we feel as though we are drowning in a sea of hopelessness. In the face of adversity, we can easily be tossed about and thrown off course. However, we don't have to weather these storms alone. There is hope and there is help.

There are so many dear friends who are currently weathering some terrible storms that life has thrown at them. Many are very godly men and women. These storms have come at a time when they have given a bigger "Yes" to God. They have committed themselves to ministry, they have stood up for their faith, or they have simply turned to Christ and turned from the past. Some are dealing with health issues that will claim their lives. Some are dealing with family members who have denounced Christ. Others are dealing with marital problems that threaten to tear apart their family while some are dealing with rebellious children. Some are dealing with addiction and some are dealing with financial crisis due to a loss of income. These people have stepped up their lives for Jesus Christ. It seems that just as soon as they did so, the attacks began. Make no mistake, there is absolutely no doubt that there is a direct correlation between their faith and these storms that are beating against them. However, in the midst of the storm, we are not alone!

In the face of adversity, there are some things we can do despite our feelings of inadequacy and helplessness. First of all we can choose to keep our focus on Christ. We believers have the confidence in a loving Savior who has no problem walking across the storm rocked waters to our small sinking ship. He has no fear of wind and waves of adversity because He has conquered them! A powerful image to medidate on is Christ walking across the waves to reach the storm ridden boat of the disciples. Peter longed to walk out on the water to Jesus, but when he looked down, fear gripped him. He began to sink when his focus left Christ. In the midst of trials, keep your eyes fixed upon Christ, never doubting and never looking away. Imagine Him walking to you across the violent waters, reaching out to you, taking your hand and leading you through the storm. Look into His loving eyes, filled with compassion and longing to help you. Feel the strength in His nail scarred hands. Have confidence that He will get you through the storm.

Second, we must chose to love God first with all that we are. This life is guaranteed to bring troubles, but choosing to love God with all our being helps us get through life's storms. Deuteronomy 6:5 says, "love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." Don't allow the face of adversity block your view of a COMPASSIONATE and LOVING God! Love HIM first with all of you! Never lose sight of Him, even in the blinding rain!

Third, remember HE is with you at all times. Psalm 139:5 says, "You go before me and you follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head." When were are facing adversity, know that God has already been out in front of you clearing His chosen path for you. But He is also with you in the trenches, helping you in the midst of your suffering. His loving Hands protecting you, helping you to navigate life's storms. And as you are lead to solid ground again, He follows you, protecting you from behind. When you are in the midst of life's storms, imagine yourself enveloped in the cacoon of His loving protection. Nothing can get to you and nothing can snatch you away from Him. Dr. Charles Stanley says, "When trials come, know that God's presence surrounds you. There is a purpose for every storm; therefore, pray for the strength to be found faithful."

And last but not least, remember, you can only see the rainbow if you first go through the storm!

Praying for you, my dearest friends!

In His Love, Cathy

Friday, September 11, 2009

9 - 11

What were you doing on 9-11 when the Twin Towers were attacked? I dinstinctly remember every single detail about those moments as I witnessed one of the biggest tragedies in American History. It was my first year teaching at Pace High School. I had planning first block so when my 2nd block Geometry students began to arrive they were all abuzz. One student told me to quickly turn on the TV because a plane had crashed into one of the Twin Towers in New York City. Not believing him I at first resisted. But then other students confirmed his story. I turned on the TV to catch what I thought was a rerun of the original crash. But then suddenly, I realized that it was live. A second plane had crashed into the other tower! It was all so surreal. Lightening doesn't strike the same place twice - this was no accident. It was an all out attack against America. My stomach sank. My heart seemed to stop. Then news of a third plane crashing into the Pentagon was televised and yet another plane that had been enroute to Washington crashed in Pennsylvania, killing all on board as well. It was unbelievable! Nothing like this had ever happened in my life! The magnitude of this event was likened to that of the JFK assassination or the attack on Pearl Harbor to those who had lived through them.

As I watched events unfold on live TV, my mind rushed to think about family who lived and worked in the very places that had been hit. Scott's first cousin was an anesthesiologist at the hospital a couple of blocks away from the Twin Towers. His hospital was the first response hospital - meaning most victims would be brought there. His hospital's staff were told to prepare for the worst. Every doctor, nurse, and staff was called in. Extra supplies, guerneys, medications, etc... were rounded up. Please for volunteer help went otu. He said the hallways were packed with guerneys and supplies waiting for the hundreds of victims to arrive. But victims never came. Only few trickled in at a time. He said the emptiness of that hospital was so very eery. Knowing the reason for the emptiness was bone-chilling.

Scott's other cousin, an accountant and brother of the anesthesiologist, and his wife could see the Twin Towers from their apartment. His wife, who was 6 months pregnant, was also in business and had a meeting later that morning in one of the Towers. Thankfully, she wasn't in the building when it was attacked. Had her meeting been even 30 minutes sooner than what it was, she would have been in the building. But her husband didn't know for sure if she had been in the Tower at the time of the attack or not. It took family a while to locate her. Cell phone and telephone services were flooded with calls making it impossible to connect with her. We all breathed a sigh of relief to know that she and the rest of the family in New York were all safe.

Scott's brother, Bryan, was in the Air Force at the time, living and stationed in the Washington D.C. area. He himself had worked at the Pentagon. Though not assigned there at the time of the attacks, his work often found him at the Pentagon for meetings. On the day the Pentagon was hit, Bryan, thankfully, was not there. However, he was friends and aquantances of those who died. We also panicked when we were unable to reach him that day, not knowing if he had been there during the attack. Again because the cellular and telephone systems were overloaded with calls, it took a while for us to make indirect contact with him and know he was safe.

Yes, I will never forget 9-11. I will always remember exactly where I was standing, what I was wearing, and what I was doing as I watched this horrible tragedy unfold. Innocent people lost their lives that day. Real heroes were made that day. They didn't ask for it, they just did what they knew to do to try to save the lives of others. For many, it cost them their own lives. For the sakes of all who lost their lives and suffered from this tragedy, we must always remember what happened on this day. As Americans, our world was literally shattered. Our innocence was taken. We must always remember lest we forget that history always repeats itself.

In His Love, Cathy

Thursday, September 10, 2009

On the Other Side of Forgiveness

"Fools make fun of guilt,

but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation."

—Proverbs 14:9


Yesterday I wrote about the downfall of having an unforgiving heart. If we can't forgive, then we ourselves are not to expect forgiveness either. Even though we are to forgive others, that doesn't mean that the offender isn't held accountable for their actions. Yes, we are to forgive, because we've been forgiven. Yes, we are to 'forget' and not hold a grudge, just as God forgets our sins when He forgives us. However, there's another side to this equation. The offender must also recognize their need to repent and seek forgiveness. We may not have control over this side of the equation, but Jesus tells us what we can do to help the sinner arrive at repentance and forgiveness:

"So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive,. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive." - Matthew 18:3,4

In this passage, we see that we are to rebuke fellow believers who sin. Now the image I have of someone being rebuked is a good old fashioned preacher beating some lowly sinner down with the Bible in his hand and the sinner skulking away on all fours like a dog, tail tucked between their legs. However, rebuking doesn't mean a verbal beat down of the sinner. It doesn't mean to point out every single offense the person has committed. To do so would be plain out mean spirited and is counterproductive. No, Jesus meant something quite different than this. The goal of rebuking is to help the person recognize their sin(s), help them to repent, seek forgiveness, and ultimately be restored to fellowship within the church and with God. Loving correction should be applied to the sinning person in hopes of restoring a right relationship between them, God, and the Body.

Rebuking others is not our personal tool to wield as we please. It is not designed to use on those who've hurt our feelings or unknowingly offended us over trivial matters. Rebuking is reserved for believers who need help in overcoming unconfessed sin - who have truly sinned against God and/or others. But before we rebuke another, we first need to examine our own hearts to ensure we are not acting out of revenge or seeking to elevate our own cause for justice. We need to check our attitude. Are we rebuking the person to restore their fellowship with God and other believers? Or are there other personal reasons that are the driving force behind the rebuke? We need to check our motivation. Do we really love this person? Do we really desire to help them? And here's the tough one - are we completely innocent ourselves or did we play a role in the problem as well? Is there a possibility we just as guilty of sinning against them?

Another point Jesus makes in this passage is that we are to forgive. Once the person repents, we are to forgive. The commentary in my Student Application Study Bible says of Matthew 17:3,4, "Unless rebuke is tied to forgiveness, it will not help the sinning person." And remember, helping the sinning person is the goal of rebuke. In fact, Jesus went on to say that even if the person sins against us seven times a day, we are to forgive EVERY SINGLE TIME THEY ASK US. So we have here the perfect formula: Rebuking + Repenting + Forgiveness = Reconciliation

As imperfect beings, we need to recognize where we fit into the equation. Sometimes we are the ones who sin and need loving correction. To keep ourselves from falling into sin, we need to DAILY ask God to examine our hearts to reveal any unconfessed sin. Once exposed, repent and seek God's forgiveness. THEN DON'T GO BACK TO THAT SIN! We also need to seek the forgiveness of those we have sinned against and do our best to reconcile. In Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions, Diane Eble says, "The godly thing to do when we are truly guilty is to acknowledge it and seek forgiveness and reconciliation, whether it's with God, another person, or, most often, both."

On the other side of forgiveness there is reconciliation and restoration. Isn't that what Christ died for?

In His Love, Cathy

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Don't Give Up On Others

"Judge not, and you shall not be judged.
Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven."
Luke 6:37

I knew a young man once who, when he became disillusioned with someone, he would just give up on the person. It didn't take much to disappoint this young man and if you messed up in his eyes, he was done with you. I saw him end relationships simply because the other person disappointed him in some way. Whatever the reason, once the person crossed this young man's invisible line of disapproval, they were written out of his life. No second chances. He would also sometimes become disrespectful, critical, and unapologetically cynical of those who fell out of grace with him. He had a wonderful upbringing with great parents. Yet for some reason, he had this critical spirit about him. This young man today is determined to go into ministry, yet he is still dealing with people in the same manner he always has. Unfortunately, he's going to have a very difficult time in ministry with the trait of unforgiveness. My prayers are for him, praying that Jesus Christ can bring about the change in him needed to fulfill the ministry calling. My heart goes out to him.

This month my devotions are focusing on relationships - what it means to really love others and to forgive them. I thought about this young man today as I was reading my devotionals. I thought about how at times I can also be very much like this young man - so 'hell bent' on how I've been hurt or offended that I'm not willing to forgive others. I reflected on the times I didn't want to forgive because the person hurt me so badly. I realized there are times that I fight to hold on to that grudge just as long as I can - thinking that it's my right by golly and that by holding that grudge I'm really puttin' a hurtin' on the other person! But the only person it really hurts is me. I've also thought of friends and family who have been deeply hurt and, as a result, having difficulty forgiving others. They can't seem to move on past the hurt. They are holding on to it for dear life, not wanting to forget, not wanting to forgive. They are simply stabbing themselves with the painful memories causing the original wounds to go even deeper, thus never healing. Their unforgiveness is their way of getting revenge on those who hurt them. But again, the only people they are hurting are themselves. They can not enjoy the blessings of God's goodness because they are blinded by the unforgiveness.

Not a single one of us is perfect. We've been hurt and we have hurt others as well. We've even hurt our Lord and Savior - for it was our sin that nailed Him to that cross. Others let us down and we let others down. We've even disappointed our Lord. But He forgives every time we ask. He is a God of infinite chances. When Peter asked Jesus if he should forgive someone 7 times, Jesus replied, "No, not seven time, but seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-22) We are to give others just as many chances as Christ has given us - infinitely many. In fact, our relationship with God Himself hinges on our ability to forgive. Jesus says in Matthew 6:14-15, "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But it you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." Whoa! Did you see that? If we are unable to forgive, then we won't be forgiven?!?!?! What's the deal with that?

If we refuse to forgive others, then God will refuse to forgive us when we sin! Oh it's so easy to ask God to forgive us, but are we operating with the same portion of Grace toward's others that God so freely offers us? When we are unforgiving toward others, we are showing our true heart condition - a hardened heart incapable of loving others as Christ does. When we deny others the same type of forgiveness God is so willing to bestow upon us, we damage the relationship we have with our Heavenly Father. We may be saved, but the sin of our unforgiveness towards others builds a wall between us and God!

In the words of Dr. Charles Stanley, "When you refuse to let go of a past hurt or you continue to nurse a grudge, you create a spot of hardness in your heart. Over time, as layers and layers of hardness accumulate, you heart becomes stiff and insensitive to the extent that you are almost incapable of giving or receiving love." Not only are you incapable of giving or receiving love from other people, but from God as well. That's what the sin of unforgiveness can do to us! And... NO ONE IS IMMUNE to a heart hardened by unforgiveness.! I don't think anyone wants this for themselves. I don't think anyone wants even a tiny dose of this condition.

We are to forgive, especially those who are in the Body of Christ. In Ephesians 4:31-32 Paul admonishes us to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." We are to 'bear with one another' in love. Unfortunately for some of us, this is a challenge. We've been hurt so badly it's hard to forgive. Due to our life circumstances or our tendency towards a negative spirit, it may be difficult for us to be so forgiving and merciful towards others - even those within the Body. But if we desire an UNHINDERED relationship with our loving and forgiving Lord, we must forgive others and be more tenderhearted towards them. THIS is the LOVE of JESUS CHRIST in action!

So, who do you need to forgive today? What's keeping you from forgiving them? Pride? Pain? There's no good reason NOT to forgive, but EVERY GOOD REASON to FORGIVE!

God bless you, friends! May His Grace and Tender Mercies be upon You!

In His Love, Cathy

Sunday, September 6, 2009

From the Pew: My First Sunday as a 'Civilian'

Wow! Today was a very strange day for me. For the first time in almost
seven years, I simply went to church. The whole week leading up to this moment was strange. Because I was bi-vocational, I would typically spend every spare moment of my time working on ministry 'stuff' from the moment church let out each Sunday. I'd teach all day then go work at home or at the church after hours on ministry tasks. "Crunch time" usually hit Thursday afternoons and a typical Friday night consisted of me working at church until 7 or 8 p.m. Even Saturdays were spent working on ministry tasks - whether at home or up at the church. Recruiting volunteers was sqeezed into opportune moments. With limited time and a growing ministry, I felt like I was drowning in a sea of unmet tasks and increasing demands of the ministry.

So my first week after children's ministry was very strange. I felt like a slacker! There was no 'crunch time' this week. In fact, Friday found Scott and I finally celebrating our anniversary with a mini-getaway - something that we've not been able to do in years. Then came Saturday. The feeling that I had something to prepare for Sunday haunted me the whole day. I kept pinching myself, thinking I was in a dream. Our lives have revolved around children's ministry for so very long that I still can not imagine life without it. In fact, my teaching career and children's ministry both started within a year or two of each other. So the idea of focusing on just teaching is so very alien to me.

For almost 7 years, the responsibilities of ministry dominated quite a big part of my life as well as my family's lives. And though this past week without it seemed foreign, the realization of just how dramatic a change it would be for us hit this morning. For the first time in almost 7 years, I didn't get up extra early to look over the children's lesson, practice the worship songs, or ensure the technology was still working. I didn't have to arrive at church by 8:30 a.m. to finish set up, connect the laptop to the projector and sound equipment, and test it all out - because, you know, there is always a technological glitch. For the first time in such a very long time, as my daughter noted, we didn't have to carry in several big bags containing the laptop, supplies, lessons, and other materials needed for kids church. All that I had to carry was a purse and Bible. AND, we could leave as soon as first service was over! So very strange!

How strange it was to sit in first service. I've never sat in first service. Ever! There were so many people I didn't know and who didn't know me. A few greeted me as though I was visiting for the first time. It was quite humorous to see their reaction when I introduced myself. Many, I'm sure, had never known who I was though might have heard of me. I was always in the back serving the children. So, unless they had a child, they had no idea who I was. And you know, as I sit and think about it, I truly was a visitor to first service. I'd always attended second service. So I was a perfect stranger to many who call PCC their home church - to the very congregation whose children and grandchildren I served. That idea strikes me as odd but true.

Sitting in first service today was so refreshing! Though the experience seemed surreal to me, I know that God is exposing me to other experiences, growing me, stretching me, helping me to see His bigger picture for this church. I'd been in the back so long that my view was blurred. Though I missed the children and was delighted to see them after service, I still know that my stepping down as children's pastor was God's calling. I feel a little lost, not knowing what God is wanting me to do next. But that's okay. Right now He's made it clear that I am to be still and rest in Him...so that I can be ready to serve Him in a different way. God is doing a new thing in all of this. It's going to be neat watching it unfold.

When God asked me to step down as children's pastor, I thought of a lot of reasons not to. I questioned why, I wondered how I could give it up, I struggled with what would happen to the children. It seemed that God asked so much of me when He called me into children's ministry to begin with. It was a huge sacrifice on my and my family's part. However, it seemed God was asking so much of me when He called me to give it up. The point is, sometimes God asks us to do what we don't think we can. He may ask more of us. He may ask us to give something up that we love - even something that is good, that we have emotionally invested in, something we have helped give birth to. We need to be ever watchful, ever listening, and always ready to respond in obedience when He moves. We never can assume what God wants of us. Instead, we need to seek and ask Him. He won't ask of us something He is not willing to help us do. He is ready and more than able to help.

And, by the way, today's service was just wonderful. Ron's message was right on target. I want a heart like Caleb's - wholeheartedly devoted to God, believing HIM to move mountains! The worship was exceptional...and singing "I'm Free...I'm Free" took on a whole new meaning for me today:-) LOL!!! AND...Christy and Richelle did a fabulous job in the children's ministry! The kids were so excited over the new songs they learned today and learning the books of the Bible. God's got big plans and I'm thankful He has the right people in place to do the job!

Yes, today I was blessed with a new view from the pew. This is going to take some getting used to!

"As for me and my house, we will" STILL "serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

In His Love, Cathy

Friday, September 4, 2009

A Simple Prayer

Lord, i praise You.
i love You.
Forgive me.
Thank you!

Bless our family.
Bless our friends.
Heal the sick.
Feed the hungry.
Comfort the mourning.
Befriend the lonely.
Help us to
Help others.

i submit to You.
i surrender to You.
Use me.
Here i am.

In His Love, Cathy

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Oh How He Loves Us!



"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" 1 John 3:1a

In His Love, Cathy