Two 2012 graduations and two to go!

May 17, 2012

Congratulations to our grandson, Benjamin Stoltzfus

on his graduation from Shady Grove Christian School!

(Or is it a flashback of Jonathan's graduation in 1988?)

Ben receives the important document from Simon Bender!

All the way from K-12!

 Ben's mother, aunts and sisters helped decorate the table.

It was so "Ben" with pines, nature art & photography, animal skins and turkey feathers.

Grandpa Landis did the shopping for the small cedar chest gift.

May 30, 2012

Congratulations to our granddaughter, Andrea!

 Andrea receiving her CNA certificate  from SUN Tech

She will graduate from Midd-West High School at Mifflinburg on June 8, 2012

Happy graduate!

Ready for the next chapter of life- with a luggage set to pack for college!

Inhalation therapy is her next goal to achieve!

And next week Brittany will graduate from high school too!

Historic moments

     Last evening we attended the first Mennonite service in the former St. Boniface church in Wilkes-Barre, PA. We have not heard a new name for the church yet. 

    For about twenty years, members from our congregation have been holding services by request in the home of a young family in that city. Within the past year, several  individuals have  received salvation from Jesus Christ through that work. Our congregation felt it was time to look for a church building to begin holding regular services. A large donation toward a property confirmed that God wants us to move forward. Settlement was made on this property last week.

      It was just in time for the scheduled program of the youth chorus from Union Valley and Lakeland Mennonite Churches. A church in Wilkes-Barre was John Weaver's vision for a long time. It was very fitting that the theme of the program was "Heaven" since John went to his eternal home before his vision became a reality.

    Some of the former members of the St Boniface came to the service last evening. The next door neighbor asked for a few minutes to publicly express her appreciation for what God is doing. She is thrilled to see the property being used as a house of worship.

    Some people have asked, "Why Wilkes-Barre?" We know the city does not have a good reputation- and that is precisely the reason we believe God wants a church there to proclaim the message of salvation. Jesus did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance!

People came in buses, vans, cars and pickup trucks to fill up this auditorium.

The ascoustics are wonderful!

The attached  rectory could be made into several apartments for staff, VS'ers, a pastor family or whatever. There are so many possibilities for this property.

The two story school building has more possibilities!

And I did not get a photo of the other building- the nun's house.

We had a supper/snack in the school basement.

This place is about 1.5 hours from Mifflinburg, Union Valley, Lebanon Co. Liverpool and Haycock.

We expect to make many more trips to Wilkes-Barre in the years ahead.

You are welcome to join us!

Truth Never Dies

I discovered this poem while organizing folders at the Historical Center today...and was blessed by it. God's Word is truth- forever!

Truth never dies, The ages come and go;
The mountains wear away, the stars retire.
Destruction lays earth's mighty cities low;
And empires, states and dynasties expire;
But caught and handed onward by the wise,
Truth never dies.
Though unreceived and scoffed at through the years,
Though made the butt of ridicule and jest;
Though held aloft for mockery and jeers,
Denied by those of transient power possessed,
Insulted by the indolence of lies,
Truth never dies.
Truth answers not, it does not take offense;
But with a mighty silence bides its time,
As some great cliff that brave the elements,
And lifts through all the storms its head sublime,
It ever stands, uplifted by the wise,
And never dies.
The lips of ridicule dissolve in dust;
The sophist's arguments, the gibes are still;
God working through the all-compelling Must,
Has broken those who dare combat His will;
As firm and patient as Gibraltar stands,
So truth unwearied, waits the era blest,
When men shall turn to it in great surprise,
Truth never dies.

Two kingdoms

We just had a three session weekend meeting on The Christian and Technology.
The speaker gave an outline each session of the two kingdoms that exist in this world.

The kingdom of this world operates on selfishness, idolatry and pride.
The kingdom of God is based on sacrifice, holiness, glory to God and humility.

And the world passesth away, and the lust (desires) thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.
1 John 2:17

When the computer is used to perform the qualities that are characteristic of God's kingdom, it is a tool in a kingdom that is bigger than ourselves. I have been challenged to not allow the computer to become an obsession, entertainment, a time waster, or a distraction from God's Word and prayer.
My refocused goal for computer use can be summed up in the words of the song:

Take time to be holy, speak oft with Thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God's children (no pun intended), help those who are weak;
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone,
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be,
Thy friends in they conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, Be calm in Thy soul;
 Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love
Thou soon shall be fitted for service above.

Technology has been around since man invented a stick to make a hole in the ground- computers are here to stay. The question is "Will we be faithful with the tools God has placed within our reach?"

Truth about War

I read a book recently written by Edith V. Landis who lived in Berlin, Germany during World War II with her family. She tells of the horrors they experienced during the war. Edith became one of the first German brides to come to America after WWII. She spent the rest of her life at Mt. Pleasant Mills. Her new book From the Horrors of World War II to a Great Love Story is an eyeopener. I quote excerpts from one chapter in the book:
" Slowly, one by one, German soldiers came home with torn uniforms and rags on their feet, completely exhausted and sick. It was heartbreaking to witness. They must have walked hundreds of miles.....
It still upsets me to hear news commentators, and others in America, referring to World War II Germany as "Nazi Germany", and the German soldiers as "Nazis". Nothing is further from the truth. Most of the young men were drafted just like the young men from other countries....When I witnessed German soldiers coming home one by one, physically and emotionally destroyed by the actions of a crazy, fanatical ruler, it was heart wrenching. If only all the rulers of the world, who sit behind desks ordering young men into battle, would settle differences amongst themselves, then no one would have to experience the horrors of war. The German soldiers had no choice. In the end it was a matter of survival- to kill or be killed. I am sure the average soldier, on either side, would prefer not to kill another human being. There will always be a few sadistic men who don't mind the killing. Thank God there are not too many of them in this world."
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is still the best way to bring peace on earth!

Warning

Warning:
Terrorist Groups in ChurchLatest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been
operating in many of our churches. They have been identified as:
Bin Sleepin,
Bin Arguin,
Bin Fightin,
Bin Complainin,
and Bin Missin.
Their leader, Lucifer Bin Workin, trained these groups to destroy the
body of Christ. The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and
to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy. However, there
have been reports of a sixth group.
A tiny cell known by the name Bin Prayin is actually the only
effective counter terrorism force in the church. Unlike the other terrorist
cells the Bib Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes
along. Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of
Christ. We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different
characteristics from the others. They have Bin Watchin, Bin Fastin, and Bin
Longin for their Master Jesus Christ to return. No church is exempt. However you
can spot them if you bin lookin and bin goin.

Contrasts

Conveniences or Inconveniences

In January we helped cook for a 60-person mission group in Mexico. There we felt like we were very blessed to have hot water and a second refrigerator.

By contrast, last week I helped wash dishes for a Bible Quiz group of 200 in Lancaster County where the smaller kitchen was fully equipped with walk-in coolers, commercial dish washer, large grill and lots more. The conveniences were amazing! They also fed about 300 quizzers and coaches in the main kitchen. Much of the food was convenient: pre-scrambled eggs, frozen french fries, pre-breaded chicken breast pieces and such like. What a contrast! Apostle Paul once said, "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, there with to be content....both to abound and to suffer need." What lessons does He want me to learn? Can I learn contentment in whatever state/country I am called to serve and simply enjoy the people around me regardless if there is little or much?

Takers and Givers

Jesus said, "Freely ye have received, freely give."

Does He want me to learn humility and gratitude by receiving graciously sometimes

and

at other times to experience the joy and blessings of giving?

The same person can be a taker AND a giver!

Lead or Follow

Apostle Paul said, "Follow me as I follow Christ."

recently I read a line something like this:

"A good leader needs, first of all, be a good follower."

We all have someone in authority over us-

the employee has an employer,

the employer has a banker or inspector,

the banker or inspector has a supervisor

and so on-

no person is in charge in every situation-

and we all answer to God- regardless what our calling or position.

Can I humbly lead or follow depending on the level of my responsibility?

Old friends and New friends

Last week there was a mixture of both new and old friends whose paths crossed with mine.

At the Quiz retreat I met some old friends that we rarely see anymore. One friend said, "I thought we might be in heaven before we get a chance to catch up with each other again." I love meeting old friends! You an always pick up where you left off, and connect again.

But then, by contrast, we received two bulky packages in the mail last week. The first one came from an interesting young woman we met last fall at the Anabaptist conference near Lititz, PA. She lives in the Czech Republic and is writing a thesis on Anabaptism for her TH.d. We had exchanged addresses and emails last fall. She wrote asking more questions about the Anabaptist faith from our perspective. I look forward to an ongoing relationship with Klara.

Another day we received a letter and calendar from a middle-aged couple, Jonas and Greta, who live in Iceland. We met them at a church service near Mifflinburg where they had stopped in for a break in their travels through PA. We made their acquaintance and also exchanged addresses. Isn't it amazing how an envelope in the mail can make your day when it brings a connection to a new friend?

There are lots more contrasts in life. How can we be bored? We never know if the next bend will bring sunshine or shadow, but if God is with us, we can be content.