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Beautiful On The Mountain
Beautiful On The Mountain is a delightful read. I love the honest simplicity of the book. It doesn’t over-reach itself. It is a simple telling of how God used a woman to be a help and blessing for Christ to those around her–where God had placed her. She had to overcome her own failure, the prejudice and mis-understanding of others, and the hardships of life in a fallen world to accomplish something of value in this world and the next.
Ministry and Christian work without heart and soul is a contradiction in terms. I have always believed that in ministry one’s first order of business is to keep the romance alive. This book has helped me to do that, for which I am grateful.
Just Walk Across the Room
Since I was a kid I have been fascinated with evangelism. My Dad taught me a simple gospel outline called “The Romans Road” when I was about ten years old and I used it to explain the gospel to friends and strangers alike. In high school I used my study hall to read books about the Christian life, pastoral work, the Bible and evangelism. I especially love to read stories of how people came to faith. I never tire of hearing stories like that.
A few years ago I discovered Bill Hybels’ book: Just Walk Across the Room: Simple Steps Pointing People to Faith. It is filled with stories of people coming to faith and stories of believers who are engaging people in gospel conversations. I bought it and read it immediately. Yesterday I began my second reading of the book. It’s hard to put down.
Years ago I adopted a goal in life:
I want to make a difference in this world that lasts. If you want to make an eternal difference during your short years on this planet, this book will be a powerful and practical help.
Here is a talk by Bill Hybels on the subject:
Welcome Back, Autumn (Guest Post)
Our son, Chuk is a true Michigander with the heart of a poet. He lives in Grand Rapids, and, along with his day-job is pioneering a candle-making business called Red Jacket Candle Company. I have invited him to contribute a guest post today.
My breath hung in the air as if it were being played back in slow motion. The cold air pinched my cheeks as I walked to the car. I turned the key in the ignition and the engine spins then roars. I turned the heater knob from its summer resting place in the blue and flopped it over midway through the red. I turned to head home beneath the trees half green half fire engine red. In front of the hardware store the pallets of mulch are replaced by colorful mountains of mums. At the coffee shop the folks have moved from the shade of the umbrellas inside to the “comfy” chairs. The conversations have turned from the vacations of summer, back to school and work.
When I was young I lived at the end of a dead end road. It wasn’t always a dead end. There was once a bridge but that had been washed away years ago. The result was our very own hiking trail that ran back about a half mile to a river. I used to run and play on that abandoned road with my older brother. One year about the time the leaves started turning and the air was too, my dad took us for a walk. We walked back that road till we saw a gap in the trees. Standing high above corn fields that ran out into what seemed like eternity my dad stopped. “You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance” he said. I assumed it was a bible verse, but didn’t know which. My dad chuckled with gratitude and we walked on but my mind stayed there. Even now my mind goes back.
The smell of pumpkin hugs me as I open the door, soft music plays in my sisters room. It seems I am not alone when I say “Welcome back Autumn we missed you”.
If you enjoyed Chuk’s piece leave a comment for him below. He’s a social guy.
What To Look For In A Partner
Sunday morning September 14 was the morning after our oldest daughter Holly married. My heart was so full and so focused. I sensed the Lord’s direction to preach this message. After you listen to it you may want to share it with your children.
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Bathed in Sunshine
Saturday Holly married Jesse Long from Seaside, Oregon. Sunday we were busy with three services on the Lord’s Day. Chuk, Dan, and Wes left for Grand Rapids Sunday night and left the Granville Cottage occupied by only Lois and I, Hope and Hazard. Yesterday we spent the day recovering from the frenetic wedding week. Last night I began to fall asleep reading in the chair and went to bed early. Reading in bed a few minutes before sleep a message came in on my phone. I thought to wait until morning, but finally got up to check it. It was a message from Jesse, our new son-in-law. We all enjoyed an up-date on the couple from Cancun, Mexico by Skype! It was wonderful. They are very joyful and enjoying a paradise honeymoon.
Sunday while I was preaching Hope opened a hymnbook in front of her and found some writing on a scrap of paper. They were old sermon notes. The notes were on a message about prayer I had given. They were taken by Holly. Wherever we turn there are things that remind us of the treasure she was to have in our home for three wonderful decades of our life. Looking back it is almost as if we grew up together, we seemed so young when she came along. I was twenty-five. Lois was twenty-four.
When Holly was in beauty school at first she didn’t have her own car. I drove her every day for about a year. Every week-day morning we would join the other commuters and students and we would have a little talk. She would be spending the day among young women who didn’t share her convictions and devotion to Christ. It was a challenge in some ways but more than anything a confirmation of the ways of God. It was so clear that when we order our lives after God ways, when we fear God and delight greatly in his commandments, our lives are ordered and anchored. We spoke often of the importance of not only marrying in the faith but, saving yourself for someone who was consecrated to Christ. When Holly graduated they arranged a party to send her off. The family was invited that day. Her friends gave her gifts, a tribute and a bouquet of flowers. She thanked each of them for their friendship and help and when she walked away from the school her friends were in tears.
Her little silver car is no longer in the street in front of Granville Cottage. She’s taken her happy songs to the Pacific Coast. Her curling irons and make-up, her blow-dryers and beauty appliances, her clothes and treasures and books are all gone. She doesn’t call joyfully “I’m home” anymore and come in with her big wad of keys and chips and salsa. The house is getting quieter and bigger.
From the high-arched window in my study at church I glance out into the north parking lot and remember her breezing in every morning just in time to sing or teach her girls. I indulge myself in joyful tears. I get a big lump in my throat at church when I try to sing and remember her radiant, sincere singing on the worship team.
She has a habit of leaving people in joyful tears when God moves her on to the next adventure in her life. So it was when Her husband carefully tucked her into his bright yellow Camero and raced out of the parking lot of the church. She had left all of us tearful with joy and bursting with love. The light and influence of her life and her love for us and for her Savior linger even now with us. Everything that reminds us of her stirs our hearts with gratitude toward Him.
I will miss her all day every day for the rest of my life, but I’m praying that God will give she and Jesse a little girl just like Holly. Then I know that no matter what else happens to them their lives will be bathed in sunshine.
Ken Pierpont
Granville Cottage
Riverview, Michigan
September 16, 2014
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