Wait?….Wait!
First off let me start out by saying that I loved reading the following poem to everyone! I have always thought that it would be so much fun to be a voice over or read about a product for commercials! When reading to my children I like to make it as entertaining as I can. They love it! Wow, how hard is it to wait? Not something that we like to do in our lives. Hurry to get on the bus, hurry to get to work, hurry to get home, get supper, get bills off, hurry, hurry, hurry! No stopping! No waiting for anything or anyone. If we get into a long line, we look to see if there is a shorter one. If we can get it done faster or sooner just so we don’t have to wait we will find another way. Some of the most desperate things we pray to the Lord have us waiting. Most of the time we humans, friends, sisters, brothers, fathers and mothers think that we can “fix” things. We cannot alone. We need to be prayerful and patiently wait for God. Thinking that it will be answered in our time makes it even worse. We DO get angry. “Wait? You say wait?” my indignant reply. “Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!” How awesome to know that we have a God that loves us so much to take on that prayer and take over that worry for us. Knowing that in His time He will answer and take care of that prayer for us. What a peace that brings to our hearts. Reading this poem helps to remind me that we do have faith in knowing that He is there as we walk without sight. Let that peace come over you as you pray that the Lord will take care of you and your needs. Praise Him for that.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.” Philippians 4:6-7 (New International Version)
Breanne Butler
Wait by Russell Kelfer
Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried; Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied. I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate…. And the Master so gently said, “Wait.” “Wait? You say wait?” my indigent reply. “Lord, I need answers, I need to know why! Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard? By faith I have asked, and I’m claiming your Word.” “My future and all to which I relate Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait? I’m needing a ‘yes’, a go-ahead sign, Or even a ‘no’ to which I can resign.” ”You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe, We need but to ask, and we shall receive. And Lord I’ve been asking, and this is my cry: I’m weary of asking! I need a reply.” Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate, As my Master replied again, “Wait.” So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut, And grumbled to God, “So, I’m waiting for what?” He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine.. And He tenderly said, “I could give you a sign. I could shake the heavens and darken the sun. I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.” “I could give all you seek and pleased you would be. You’d have what you want, but you wouldn’t know Me. You’d not know the depth of my love for each saint. You’d not know the power that I give to the faint.” “You’d not learn to see through clouds of despair; You’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there. You’d not know the joy of resting in Me When darkness and silence are all you can see.” “You’d never experience the fullness of love When the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove. You would know that I give, and I save, for a start, But you’d not know the depth of the beat of my heart.” “The glow of comfort late into the night, The faith that I give when you walk without sight. The depth that’s beyond getting just what you ask From an infinite God who makes what you have last.” “You’d never know, should your pain quickly flee, What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee. Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true, But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I’m doing in you.” “So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me. And though oft My answers seem terribly late, My most precious answer of all is still. . . Wait.”
Remember In Prayer~The nation of Japan whose burdens we can only begin to imagine. ~Wayne Tuttle & Family following Fern’s death on March 29th. ~Francis Ream’s family following his death on March 28th. Francis & his family attended the United Methodist Church in State Center but he remained a life long member of BLFC. ~BLFC Ministry & Counsel members & our pastoral search committee ~Morgan Martin ~Camp Quaker Heights staff as they prepare for the summer camp season ~Sam & Becky Barber & Family in Belize ~Kaimosi Hospital, staff & Judy Davis
In Memory Fern Tuttle, a long-time member of BLFC died March 29, 2011 at her home in Marshalltown following a 3-year battle with cancer. Following cremation a memorial service was held at Bangor Liberty Friends Church on Sunday, April 3rd with Pastors, Arlen Daleske and David Lewis, officiating. We will all miss Fern’s presence in our fellowship, her strength of spirit, her humor, her quiet witness, and her willingness to help whenever there was a need - for a friend or neighbor, the church, or the House of Compassion. We all know she had hope in Christ Jesus - “but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” -Rev. 17:14
From a recent Email J Subject: Biblical pastoral candidates
Adam: Good man but problems with his wife. Also one reference told of how his wife and he enjoy walking nude in the woods.
Noah: Former pastorate of 120 years with not even one convert. Prone to unrealistic building projects.
Abraham: Though the references reported wife-swapping, the facts seem to show he never slept with another man’s wife, but did offer to share his own wife with another man.
Joseph: A big thinker, but a braggart, believes in dream-interpreting, and has a prison record.
Moses: A modest and meek man, but poor communicator, even stuttering at times. Sometimes blows his stack and acts rashly. Some say he left an earlier church over a murder charge.
David: The most promising leader of all until we discovered the affair he had with his neighbor’s wife.
Solomon: Great preacher but our parsonage would never hold all those wives.
Elijah: Prone to depression. Collapses under pressure.
Deborah: Strong leader and seems to be anointed, but she is female.
Jeremiah: Emotionally unstable, alarmist, negative, always lamenting things, reported to have taken a long trip to bury his underwear on the bank of a foreign river.
Jonah: Refused God’s call into ministry until he was forced to obey by getting swallowed up by a great fish. He told us the fish later spit him out on the shore near here. We hung up.
Amos: Too backward and unpolished. With some seminary training he might have promise, but has a hang-up against wealthy people--might fit in better in a poor congregation.
Melchizedek: Great credentials at current work place, where does this guy come from? No information on his resume about former work records. Every line about parents was left blank and he refused to supply a birth date.
John: Says he is a Baptist, but definitely doesn’t dress like one. Has slept in the outdoors for months on end, has a weird diet, and provokes denominational leaders.
Peter: Too blue collar. Has a bad temper - even has been known to curse. Had a big run-in with Paul in Antioch. Aggressive, but a loose cannon.
James & John: Package deal preacher & associate seemed good at first, but found out they have an ego problem regarding other fellow workers and seating positions. Threatened an entire town after an insult. Also known to try to discourage workers who didn’t follow along with them.
Timothy: Too young!
Methuselah: Too old…WAY too old!
Jesus: Has had popular times, but once his church grew to 5000 he managed to offend them all, and then this church dwindled down to twelve people. Seldom stays in one place very long. And, of course, he’s single.
Judas: His references are solid. A steady plodder. Conservative. Good connections. Knows how to handle money. We’re inviting him to preach this Sunday. Possibilities here.
Children’s Church We’ll meet in the fellowship hall after the children’s message on April 3 & 10. Lessons will encourage the children to build Godly character. Our service projects will be to send encouragement to our Quaker Heights staff and make resurrection rolls for the congregation. Kids age 4 through grade 4 are welcome to participate.
Ladies Spring Fling Ladies, join others from around the state on April 9th for a fun day of Christian fellowship at Middle River Friends Church. Registration begins at 9:30. Theme for the day is "Be Still & Know". Friends women will share their gifts of music, puppetry, storytelling, 'how to' information, and more. Kenyan items and USFW reading course books will be available for purchase. Cost is $10, which includes lunch, and will be paid at the door. All ladies are welcome! You don't need to be a USFW member to enjoy this day. Let Margaret know if you can attend so we can coordinate travel.
BL Christian Education is seeking a person or a team of people to direct our Panda Mania VBS scheduled for July 10-15. Please prayerfully consider this position and contact Kris Young or another member of Christian Ed. if you feel led to direct our Vacation Bible School.
Spring Services at BLFC Everyone is welcome to attend: ~Friday Evening, April 8th, 7:00 p.m. Arlen Daleske will be guest speaker and will share about the Providential Homes Ministry he’s involved with. Fellowship & refreshments afterwards. ~Saturday, April 9th, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Workday at the Providential homes located in Eldora - Bring a brown bag lunch & tools listed in Sunday bulletin. ~Sunday, April 10th, Morning Worship- Morgan Martin will be sharing. *A bridal shower will be held for Morgan after Worship - all ladies are invited.
Liberty USFW Ladies of Liberty USFW will meet at Gladys Lane’s home on Monday, April 18th at 7:00 p.m. Please note change of date. Nanci Galloway of Union will be guest speaker.
Bangor USFWWe will meet April 19th beginning at 9:30 a.m. for a workday at Peggy Martin’s home in Marshalltown.
BLFC Easter Services~Good Friday Service, April 22, 7 p.m. ~Kids’ Easter Celebration, Sat, April 23, 9:30 a.m. - Noon. Will include an egg hunt, crafts, story, and a light lunch. ~Easter Sunrise Service, Sunday, April 24, 7 a.m. at Royal Ranch ~Easter Breakfast, 8:00 a.m., at the church ~Sunday School, 9:30 a.m. ~Worship, 10:25 a.m.
Mission Update Thanks! The total given for the Lindi Friends School was $1,510.00! Your generosity is always heartwarming. The Mission Committee trusts you will continue to give faithfully to our new project, the Kaimosi Friends Hospital, beginning the third Sunday of April. Please fill out the pledge card from your communication box and place in the offering plate or return to Scott Davis by April 17. The Kaimosi Friends Hospital is in the process of renewal after years of neglect. Physical structures are being repaired, some new equipment has arrived, and staff is being encouraged that their salaries may increase. Our 3rd Sunday support will help with these needs allowing the efficient staff to continue working for the mission hospital. The following is recent news from Judy Davis who is spending 93 days at Kaimosi Hospital. “Two days ago at 7 a.m. we admitted 3 year-old twin boys with malaria. These little guys were so sick and had to have branulas (catheters) put in their little arms so that they could receive 3 doses of quinine 12 hours apart. This morning their mother had them dressed and sitting on a bed looking out the hospital window. A car drove up and I said "gari" and they both parroted "gari" for car. Tonight I was at the hospital about 5 p.m. and saw them out on a blanket on the lawn. They were playing so happily. They looked so perky and will probably go home tomorrow. We had 10 children in the hospital with 3 maternity cases. We lost one of the babies in the night who was on oxygen. They had a 34 year-old woman come in last night and she was convulsing with foam out of mouth and nose. The nurses tried to resuscitate her but she died. Life and death is so close here and often happens so fast.” Let’s remember the staff of the Kaimosi Friends Hospital in our prayers.
Looking Ahead…..to Golf!Garrison Memorial Scramble 9 a.m. shotgun start, April 30th Westwood Municipal Golf Course, Newton, IA. Questions? Contact Anthony Nieuwsma at 641-236-6412 or at newsma213@hotmail.com
Bangor Cemetery Association The annual meeting for the Bangor Cemetery Association will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2011 at Bangor Liberty Friends Church at 3:00 p.m. All interested are welcome to attend.
Pointers for Parents During April parents, grandparents and teachers can sharpen their parenting skills by checking out the books and audiotapes found in our church library. Encouragement, challenge and humor can all be found. Here are a few examples: Boundaries with Kids helps moms and dads learn how to bring control to family life, set limits and still be loving parents. The book-on-tape Inspire Your Kids to Greatness shows how to make those parent-teen relationships remain healthy and helpful with simple steps to improve communication. In 30 Short chapters Stormie Omartian shares how you can pray through every stage of your child’s life. The Power of the Praying Parent reminds us of the greet need and joy we have as parents to pray for and with our children. Just Because They’ve Left Doesn’t Mean They’re Gone helps you service the ups and downs of parenting adult children. Check out these and others on the library ledge
CQH Dates to Remember Workday April 23 June 3-5 College Weekender June 5-8 Fry Camp (grades 3,4) June 10-12 Little Fry (K-grade 2 with adult participant) June 12-17 Jr. High (grades 7,8) June 17-19 High School Weekender June 19-24 High School June 26-29 Fox Camp (grades 5,6) CQH Family Camp - July 8-10 IAYM Sessions - August 3-6 To Volunteer, call CQH - 641-939-5977
HOC Meal Report26 from BLFC were involved in a meal for 60 guests on March 31st. Our menu was liver & onions or goulash, green beans & bacon, mixed fruit, biscuits, coleslaw, cottage cheese, HyVee pie or chocolate pudding, milk & coffee. Many guests told us how much they enjoyed the good meal. Harvey was especially pleased with the liver. Mark your calendar for April 28 and join in the fun next month.
From BLFC’s Nursery Committee - A reminder that the Worship Nursery is for infant through preschool children. Thank you.
Thank You! We want to thank Royal Young, Greg Young, Steve Marble and Ray Willits for providing their time and resources to clear our parking lot and driveways of snow this winter. Also, thanks to all the men who kept the sidewalks clear of snow and ice!!
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