LoisPierpont.com » January 13, 2007
New Article January 12, 2007
Have you ever had trouble training your young sons to “take hold” of a task and follow-through on it? We are always working on that here in the Pierpont houshold. I wrote an article about an idea that we have been using here. Let me know what you think.
Here is is: Teaching Sons to “Take Hold.”
Refreshing Friends January 8, 2007
There are friendships that warm you like a fire. In a world of people that will drain you dry there are a few friends whose company is nourishment to the soul of a man. Paul is such a friend. Paul is the Director of Camp Barakel in Michigan. He is a man whose heart is steadfast for God. It is easy and natural to talk with Paul of the things of God, the work of God in women and in men, the creation of God around us, and the providence of God in history. It is sweet to pray with him, delightful to be in a meeting where he is leading those gathered in the worship of God.
With a sense of melancholy I will pack my things to leave after a weekend of ministry at Barakel. As I make my way along the gravel roads out toward the state highway Paul will be waiting by his old brown Rambler. This time of the year he is likely to be wearing a huge winter hat with glacier glasses, a thick coat, gloves and a smile. When I pull to a stop he will pull off a glove and greet me in the warm tradition of the Camp’s founder, Uncle Johnny. We will have our “until-next-time” conversation, and I always find myself praying, “Lord, if it pleases you I would love to come back again to this place that you have so obviously blessed.” Paul will hand out mints to all who are in the car and we will reluctantly drive away, our hearts enlarged with love for those we have ministered to and those we have ministered with.
Another prayer occurs to me tonight; “Lord, allow me in some way to be the kind of refreshing friend to others that Paul is to me whenever I am with him.”
I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men.
1Co 16:17-18 ESV
Also pictured above is Jon Ford a refreshing friend in his own right. Perhaps on another day I will tell you his story…
Ken Pierpont
Brook Place
Hinsdale, Illinois
January 8, 2007
Watch This! January 4, 2007
My Faithful Witness in the Sky January 3, 2007
I just took Charles to work. It is about 32 degrees outside and clear, a beautiful morning. The sun is about to rise. In the west a full moon sets in the sky, a ring of haze around it, brilliantly reflecting the sun’s light. No wonder the Psalmist called the moon “…my faithful witness in the sky,” (Psalm 89:37) it has a special beauty this morning. It is beautiful and it is faithful, predictably obedient to the ordinances of God. I find myself praying; “Lord may I reflect your light into my dark world with a similar beauty.” “May the beauty of the Lord, my God be upon me…”
Just as I wrote this into my journal I received an e-mail from my dear friend Paul Gardner who directs Camp Barakel. The Camp is clustered around a clear lake in the Huron National Forrest in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan:
Last night as I went home the moon hung low in the eastern sky. This morning as I came in it was dipping low in the western sky, and the air was not blowing– so the fog hung in the bare trees. What a great commute I have!
Tribute to my Photographer January 1, 2007
Early one glorious autumn morning we were staying on Duck Pointe in the Northwoods. (I added the “e” because you increase the property value by ten grand when you do that). I woke up and Lois was out taking pictures of one of the most beautiful autumn days we have ever enjoyed. She had not even dressed yet, but just grabbed her camera to capture the beauty of the morning. I did the same. She was so cute that I had to take a picture of her taking pictures. This is my tribute to her. She has filled my life with beauty in so many ways I plan to spend the rest of my life loving her. She is full of life and she has filled my life in so many ways.
Success in the New Year
Here is a valuable tip for any time of the year. It was the theme of my message for Momence yesterday morning. There is one activity that the Lord promises to bless. In fact the promises attached to this one simple activity are staggering. According to the Bible it is the secret to true, lasting success in life. Anyone can do it no matter where in the world they are, no matter how much money or education they have. God promised that the secret of success in life is to have communion with God through meditation on his Word day and night. (Psalm 1; Josh. 1:8) What better goal could a person adopt for the New Year than one that would yield such powerful results? I am planning on reading steadily through the Bible early in the mornings during the first few months of the year. What are your plans?
A Few Weeks from Eternity
Years ago I went to visit a man to talk to him about the Lord. I didn’t call ahead, I just dropped in unannounced. It was just after the supper hour. He didn’t answer the door but sent his wife. She welcomed us in and spoke to us in a whisper like a librarian.
“He watches ‘Wheel of Fortune’ every night.” She said quietly. “If you want to you can watch it with him, if you are careful to be quiet. He doesn’t like any interruptions. When the program is over he will talk to you.”
We agreed to wait for him to watch his game show. He didn’t acknowledge our presence at all during the show or the commercials. He took a kitchen chair and pulled it up to within two feet of the television and did not move back until the program was over.
When the program ended he put the chair away, greeted us and offered us a treat from the freezer. We had a pleasant chat and I thanked him for visiting our services. I tried to talk with him about eternal things. He was civil and pleasant but otherwise disinterested in in-depth discussion.
We thanked him for his welcome and left. I never saw him in church again. A few weeks later he was changing a light bulb in his garage, fell from a step ladder and hit his head. He never recovered from the fall. Within a short time he was dead. When I visited him he didn’t know that he was only a few weeks from meeting God but he was more interested in his game show than discussing eternal things.
Do you give your time and attention to things that are empty? Have you sufficiently considered eternal things? How long will it be until eternity begins for you? None of us knows how many more years on earth we have, or how many months, or even how many days or hours. How many days do you have to see that you are right with God and others? How many days will you have to forgive those who have hurt you? How many days will you have to love the people around you?
Ken Pierpont
Panera Bread in South Bend, Indiana
January 1, 2007
Ken's new book - Sunset On Summer, now available for order, $13.95 each.