the

Christian Magnifier Volume 63

July/August 2016

Number 7

CONTENTS Let Freedom Ring ................................................ 2 My Country, ‘Tis Of Thee ...................................... 4 The Hawkinsons Have Retired ............................. 5 From The New Director........................................ 6 The Healing Word Of Faith................................... 7 O Sing To The Lord................................................ 8 Freedom................................................................ 9 The 64th Annual Meeting...................................... 9 Kingdom Kids...................................................... 12 We’re Safe........................................................... 13 Dependence Day................................................ 14 The Lighter Side.................................................. 15 Amen To That!..................................................... 16

Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 Published by the Lutheran Braille Evangelism Association

A Magazine of Christian Literature published monthly by the Lutheran Braille Evangelism Association 8331 Cloman Avenue East, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076 Phone (651) 447-2195. • Email: [email protected] Subscription Price — $10.00 per year Single Issue — $1.00 Editor: Yvonne Pilot, Inver Grove Heights, MN. Lutheran Braille Evangelism Officers: President: Rev. Robert Preuss, St. Paul, MN. Vice President: Rev. Gary Olson, St. Paul, MN. Secretary: Herb Svendsen, Mahtomedi, MN. Treasurer: Mr. Doug Pilot, Inver Grove Heights, MN. Other Board Members: Eunice Fredrick, Char Peterson, Minneapolis, MN; Rev. Mickey Dobbins, Corinne Metcalf, St. Paul, MN; Elaine Svendsen, Mahtomedi, MN; Bonnie Holt, Marlys Stevens, Bruce Tilderquist, Kay Molstrom, Cannon Falls, MN. The Lutheran Braille Evangelism Association is an independent non-profit organization which publishes Christian materials for people with impaired vision. THIS MAGAZINE IS FREE TO ANY SIGHT-IMPAIRED PERSON.

LET FREEDOM RING! Hanging in the statehouse of Philadelphia is the heirloom of American democracy - the Liberty Bell - weighing 2080 pounds and measuring 12 feet in circumference. On July 4, 1776, this voice of freedom announced the good news of independence for the colonial states. Inscribed on it are these words from the Bible: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” (Lev. 25:10) In 1832, a twenty-four-year-old Baptist theological student named Samuel Francis Smith wrote the words to “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”

which is considered by many to be our “unofficial national anthem.” The song proclaims “let freedom ring!” Will the bells of freedom continue to ring for future generations? It depends on whether the seven ingredients of democracy can survive the trends of contemporary thinking. I will identify these seven components by forming an acrostic from the word FREEDOM. “F” stands for FAITH. Faith and freedom are inseparable. In 2 Corinthians 3:17, the Bible states, “. . .where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” This kind of faith in God characterized the early builders of America. After his inauguration, George Washington spoke to Congress saying, “It would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplication to that Almighty Being who presides in the councils of nations. . . Heaven can never smile on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and light.” When the Continental Congress came together to form a government and a constitution, Benjamin Franklin stood and said, “. . .the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this, that God governs in the affairs of men, without His aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.”

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When he finished speaking, the delegates from the thirteen colonies knelt and prayed. Then, they arose and agreed on a constitution. “R” stands for RESPONSIBILITY. We frequently speak of our rights and privileges as free citizens, but we must remember, the preservation of freedom demands a price from each generation. John Adams, in a letter, wrote: “Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that I ever took the pains to preserve it.” “E” stands for EMPATHY. Traditionally, Americans have been a compassionate people. We care about human rights, we are concerned about the disenfranchised, the disinherited, the hungry, the homeless, the oppressed. Willingness to aid the downcast and to defend the underdog is essential in a free society. “E” stands for EDUCATION. Democracy and freedom cannot survive in an environment of ignorance. Jesus once said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” “D” stands for DEDICATION. We should be stirred and moved by the emotion-packed drama of Patrick Henry as he stood before the

Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1774 and cried, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” Despite the insults and threats of Liberty’s enemies, she will never die so long as this kind of fervent dedication lives on in America. “O” stands for OBEDIENCE. Over 2000 years ago, the Roman Senator Cicero said that total, unrestrained liberty without law leads to anarchy, which quickly leads to a dictatorship. Cicero said that freedom must be restrained by law. You may not always agree with the decisions of government, but the health of a free society requires obedience. The Bible advises us to “be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates.” (Titus 3:1) “M” stands for MORALITY. I fear that America is rapidly losing this seventh ingredient. Arnold Toynbee has said, “Only a religious revival can save us. . . there is no other way we can survive.” A man took his son to the tiny rural community where hew grew up. He was disappointed to discover that the little church where he attended as a boy had disbanded. The windows were broken, the doors were hanging on the hinges, the pews were dusty and dirty, the pulpit was knocked over and debris was everywhere. His son said, “Daddy, do you reckon the bell

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is still there?” The father pulled and the bell rang. “Ring the bell again, Daddy,” said the boy. While the man and his son continued to ring the bell, a crowd formed outside. The boy said, “Daddy, why don’t you ask them in? We can stand the pulpit up and you can read from the Bible and sing a song.” A congregation gathered outside. That day, the church was revived and became an active and growing church. It all started when a boy said, “Daddy, ring the bell again!” For the sake of our children and future generations, we must ring the bells again - the bells of morality and faith; the bells of democracy and freedom; the bells of responsibility and service. Let freedom ring - now and forevermore! - Tony Bland (The Sermon Builder)

My heart with rapture thrills like that above. Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees Sweet freedom’s song: Let mortal tongues awake, Let all that breathe partake; Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong. Our fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing: Long may our land be bright, With freedom’s holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King!

This is one of the first songs I remember learning as memory work as a child in school. Every Flag Day all the classes in my elementary school would gather around the flag pole to participate in a patriotic program. It was to promote pride and loyalty MY COUNTRY, ‘TIS OF THEE and thankfulness for this wonderful My country ‘tis of thee, Sweet land land of freedom in which we lived, The United States of America. At the of liberty, Of thee I sing: Land where my end of the program, all classes would join in singing with great pride “My fathers died, Country, ‘Tis of Thee”. Sometimes Land of the pilgrim’s pride, From every mountain side let we were accompanied by a few instruments which seemed to make freedom ring! us sing out with more gusto. And, My native country, thee, Land of the in those days, we did indeed sing the last verse as a prayer to God. To noble free, Thy name I, love: I love thy rocks this day this song remains one of my favorite patriotic hymns. and rills, God has indeed blessed the United Thy woods and templed hills; Page Four

States of America with the love for of waste paper! All four stanzas freedom and a diverse beauty from remain exactly as originally written shore to shore. I have had the to this day. Lowell Mason’s church privilege of traveling by bus to states children’s choir first performed the on both the east and west coasts hymn in a public park in Boston for and gave awe-struck praise to God the next Fourth of July celebration. This hymn text is very much for this wonderful and beauty-filled land which He has entrusted to our American but the tune is well-known internationally. It is the official care. Music has always been closely national melody of some twenty linked to man’s deepest emotions nations including England where and desires; and so patriotism is no “God Save the King/Queen” has exception. However, the United been sung for over three hundred States of America had no distinct years. The origin of the tune is not patriotic song to claim as its own exactly known but has appeared until the 1800’s. October 21, 1808 in the singing traditions of many saw the birth of Samuel Francis European countries for centuries. Smith. Born and educated in the In 1841, Ludwig von Beethoven, Boston, Massachusetts area, Smith a master composer, wrote several became a Baptist preacher who piano variations on this tune which served several large churches on the now bears the name “Thesaurus East Coast. He compiled a hymnal Musicus.” - Barbara Hawkinson for the Baptist Church of which 150 hymns were written by him. THE HAWKINSONS One day in 1832, Lowell Mason, HAVE RETIRED a well-known American music educator, gave the then seminary student Smith, a copy of a German After serving two Lutheran churches patriotic poem which moved him for nine years and overseeing the very much entitled “God Bless Our Lutheran Braille Evangelism ministry Native Land.” Smith was also struck for 28 years, Rev. Dennis Hawkinson by the fact that America had no such and his wife, Barbara, have retired written verse to claim as its own. So as of June 30, 2016. They will moved to action and inspired was he now enjoy more time with family that he sat down to write the words especially the grandchildren - and to “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” in one other service for the Lord in their half hour at the age of 24. He wrote church and community as He leads. what was to become a favorite and All praise and thanks be to God well loved patriotic hymn on a piece for their leadership in “helping the Page Five

I was diagnosed with diabetes at age five; attended Lutheran school Kindergarten through eighth grade, graduated with honors from Nicollet High School while playing volleyball, basketball, softball, and the yearbook editor; Went on to earn a bachelor of science in business administration and a minor in economics from Minnesota State University Mankato. From there, I was hired by the University of Minnesota Waseca, the first nonalumnus admissions representative FROM THE NEW DIRECTOR traveling to high schools throughout Yvonne Pilot asks prayers for LBEA the state. Only months into my career, and for her to faithfully carry forth, in humility, the call to serve as the I began experiencing diabetic eye complications. I underwent ministry’s next Executive Director. Here are some things to know multiple eye surgeries, lost vision in about me: I am wife to Doug for my left eye first and 6 months later twenty-three years; we live in Inver the vision in my right eye. Months after losing my eyesight, Grove Heights; paired July 2014 with my second Seeing Eye dog, Honey, a I moved to Minneapolis to attend 3-year-old yellow lab. My interests Vision Loss Resources to learn how to include, continued learning, nature conduct daily living without vision, experiences, water skiing, tandem and a new world of independence biking, and snowshoeing. I have opened to me. I learned to walk worn hats of host mother to two with a white cane, travel by bus, international high school exchange cook, clean, use a talking computer students, public speaker to schools/ and more. I began working for Blue Cross and organizations, para-professional counselor to visually impaired and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Married my college sweetheart, Doug, and church council member. I am the oldest daughter of John we bought our house in Inver Grove and Kathy Zins; I have an older Heights. While looking for an audio Bible, brother Chris, and a younger sister Shelly. I grew up in the small rural a friend directed me to LBEA. A few community of Nicollet, Minnesota. years later, I joined their board of Page Six Sightless SEE the Savior” for these many years. LBEA is now under the new leadership of Yvonne Pilot and you may contact her by phone at (651) 447-2195, or by mail at: LBEA 8331 Cloman Ave E. Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076 May God continue to bless this ministry until Christ returns in all His triumphant glory!

directors, which began a relationship setting course for this present new beginning. Merciful Father, thank you for accepting me as I am and for many new beginnings; thank you for sight for my Savior and for your unfailing love. I am your vessel, Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth, Amen. - Yvonne Pilot, New Executive Director

THE HEALING WORD OF FAITH After a few days in St. John’s hospital, in treatment for serious blood clots in my body, there was time for serious reflection. Life can be as strong as a half inch thick new rope, or as fragile as a small piece of cotton string. And I’ve thought about the following: 1. The extremely close connection between body systems. Everything fits together - lungs, blood vessels, nerves - all according to plan - most of the time. 2. The connections between body systems and health are vitally important. 3. The connection between physical life and spiritual life is especially vital in considering the subject of health. 4. Man was created in the image

of God and God breathed into man the breath of life. The spirit of God and the spirit of man are of the same design. Healing needs to honor the divine connection. Life needs to honor the connection. Death demands a connection. My body, now 80+ years old, is breaking down. All part of due course. I pushed the limit, expecting my body to continue carrying the load I had come to expect of it. When I finally called my wife for help at 1 Am on Sunday, December 7th, my lungs had already started to shut down. I got to the hospital just in time to end the shutdown. I was living on faith. I felt the peace of God in me. My lungs were responding to the generous amounts of oxygen being pumped into them. I began to stabilize on the side of life. I was not ready to die, but I was already feeling one with my Maker. I still had a purpose for living. If it had been you, would your relationship with God have provided you with peace or judgment? If you are not sure, then you have some serious reflection to do! I am more than the total of my physical parts: I am also spiritual. My being is a combination of the

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physical and the spiritual. Through Baptism and faith I have been made new through Jesus Christ. New life is a gift of God. This newness provides inner peace. It is the power of faith at work within me. I knew real peace at a time when many would only have known fear and anxiety. There is no peace like the feeling that comes of knowing everything is right with God. Can there be any greater goal in life than to praise and honor God now and then to live in heaven with Him forever. Only Jesus can offer perfect healing to body, mind and soul with a perfect peace. People are offered many healing treatments; systems; procedures; and helps these days. However, nothing can replace a personal relationship of faith in Jesus Christ. I needed the assurance of Jesus in the ambulance that night right before Christmas. Such power had been instilled in me years before. I felt God’s presence! I felt peace! And given that I can say, “I enjoyed the ride!” So I add, if a person is not prepared to die in peace, that person is not prepared to live in peace. - Rev. Carl Buettemeier

O SING TO THE LORD!

O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it. These all look to you to give them their food in due season; when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works--who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. Psalm 104:24-33 (NRSV) Life is filled with incredible wonders. I think of the crops that have been planted and are now growing, the healing discoveries in medicine, the technology intended to make life systems more efficient, the means of transportation that makes our world smaller. All of these can become monsters or a gracious

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means for life. All living things and new ideas depend on God if they are to make sense. When we misuse and waste the gift of food, the gift of clean air and good environment, the wisdom God has given us, we set aside His Spirit and push our own ways and our own agendas. How important it is that we begin each day meditating and reflecting on the goodness of God’s gifts. Singing a song of praise to God as long as we have life is incredibly important. Creator God, fill us with wisdom in managing your earth, your creatures, your gift of good air, your wisdom in creating technology, your gift of food and all our human relationships. May all our meditation be pleasing to you, O God. Amen. - Rev. Ken Knutson

FREEDOM

Freedom from loneliness. And there are freedoms TO. Freedom to worship. Freedom to speak. Freedom to assemble. But the greatest of all freedoms is the freedom to know God and live with Him forever. His Spirit draws us to Jesus, the Author of the faith that brings us to Him. Each day, we are free to talk to Jesus and worship the Father in our inmost being as He desires. Not to use this freedom is His loss as well as our own. On a day and month when we celebrate national freedom, let’s remember our spiritual freedom, won for us by Jesus’ sacrificial death on Calvary’s cross. - Author Unknown

THE 64TH ANNUAL MEETING The Lutheran Braille Evangelism Association celebrated its SixtyFourth Anniversary on Monday, May 16, 2016 at 6:30 PM at Roseville Lutheran Church in Roseville, Minnesota. LBEA Executive Director Rev. Dennis Hawkinson welcomed the 91 guests in attendance at the event. He then called upon LBEA Vice President Rev. Gary Olson who opened the meeting with devotions from John 14 on “Knowing God.” After the singing of the table prayer, “Be Present at Our Table Lord”,

She was sitting next to me in the hair salon. Her accent revealed she wasn’t native born. I asked her nationality, and she said, “German.” Doing a bit of mental arithmetic, I asked, “Were you a war bride after World War II?” She said yes, adding, “I saw the whole thing.” I asked her what she liked best about living here, and she replied, “Freedom.” She left before I got a chance to learn more. Freedom. An interesting word. There are freedoms FROM. Freedom from want. Freedom from fear. Page Nine

the catered banquet meal featured salisbury steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, glazed carrots, lettuce salad with dressing, rolls and butter, beverage and chocolate cake for dessert. Following the meal LBEA Executive Director Rev. Dennis Hawkinson thanked Roseville Lutheran Church and caterer Connie Marchio and her workers for the delicious banquet meal. Thanks was also expressed in advance to Lynette Campbell and the St. Paul Swedish Male Chorus for providing special music to conclude the evening. All Banquet attendees were thanked for their support of LBEA and each received a commemorative pen. The Hot Pink geraniam centerpiece at each table was awarded to the individual whose agenda had a puffy sticker on the top left-hand corner. Executive Director Hawkinson then led in a special prayer and the Offering for LBEA was received. (note: this offering was $3,505) President Rev. Robert Preuss then called the annual business meeting to order. The current members of the LBEA Board of Directors were introduced and thanked. The 12 month financial report was read

by Treasurer, Bethany Muinch. The report showed an opening balance of $11,173.72 with income of $97,633.71 and expenses of $89,948.59. The checking account had an ending balance on April 30, 2016 of $18,858.84. Bequests during the year were received from the estates of Elvina Steffenson, Elaine Olson, and Marion Chappelle. A motion was made by Liz TuftBauer and seconded by Eunice Fredrick to approve the treasurer’s report. The motion was passed. The Executive Director’s report was presented by Rev. Dennis Hawkinson. He expressed thanks to God for “Helping The Sightless See The Savior” and blessing the work of LBEA for sixty-four years! He shared remembrances from the past 28 years of his ministry with LBEA. We used to move around from church to church every year for the annual banquet until we found Roseville Lutheran Church and its marvelous facilities. At his first banquet as Executive Director the St. Paul Swedish Male Chorus sang and also at this his last banquet. 3,639 BibleCouriers have been sent to the blind and visually handicapped over these years. LBEA continues to witness to the blind

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community throughout the world of the Nominating Committee and of God’s love in the life, death, and cast our votes in favor of all the resurrection of Jesus Christ with nominees. Eunice Fredrick seconded the free distribution of monthly the motion and it passed. There being no other business a devotional magazines in braille, giant print, and audio CD. In closing motion made by Herb Svendsen he then called upon Barbara to share and seconded by Eunice Fredrick a sampling of letters received from prevailed to adjourn the 2016 Guests then blind and sight-impaired persons Annual Meeting. during the year. She also gave a were delighted with the 30 minute tribute to Dennis upon his retirement musical selections from the St. Paul and thanked him for the legacy of Swedish Male Chorus who also sang the BibleCourier which he helped Happy Birthday to Bruce Tilderquist develop and the countless hours and Marilyn Martin. Rev. Dennis Hawkinson adjourned spent proofing 12 translations of the Bible and a 700 word concordance the meeting with the Benediction. that could be downloaded into it. The Board of Directors met briefly President Rev. Robert Preuss also gave a tribute to Dennis & Barb to meet Cori Pochardt and to hire along with a gift of $1000 to be used her as assistant to Yvonne Pilot in renting a cabin at Lake Itasca this beginning in July 2016. summer and a check for $5000 in Respectively Submitted, appreciation of their leadership over Herb Svendsen, Secretary LBEA. He then introduced Yvonne Pilot as the new Executive Director. New officers for the 2016-2017 She greeted the assembly and told a LBEA Board of Directors are: little about herself. President - Rev. Robert Preuss Rev. Preuss introduced the nominees Vice President - Rev. Gary Olson for the LBEA Board of Directors for Secretary - Herb Svendsen 2016-2019. They are Kay Molstrom, Rev. Gary Olson, Char Peterson and Treasurer - Doug Pilot whose duties Bruce Tilderquist. There being no begin July 1. KINGDOM KIDS further nominations Marlys Stevens moved that we accept the report Places where people live all around Page Eleven

the world are called countries, nations, republics, or kingdoms. What is the place where you live called? One of the many nations of the world began on July 4, 1776. It is called the United States of America. Fifty states are united into one nation. I live in the state of Minnesota in the United States of America. Minnesota became a state in 1858. I love living in the USA because I have the freedom to worship God and go to the church of my own choosing. As a little girl I attended school and even graduated from college. I have always had enough food to eat and I didn’t have to go to work until I was 16. Then I chose to work part-time during the summers. After graduation I was able to decide for myself where to work and whom to marry and where to live. I can vote to elect the President of the United States and the leaders of my state and city. I am so blessed to be able to enjoy so many freedoms, because I know that in many, many countries these freedoms are not available to all people, especially girls and women. The United States of America is a wonderful place to live and I am so happy to be an American! But, I know of an even better place to live. It is called the Kingdom of God. God invites all people to be citizens in His Kingdom. God is the great King who sent His only Son, Jesus to earth to tell the people of His wonderful love. Jesus died on the cross to take away the sins of the whole world - everybody, even you and me! On the third day after He

died, Jesus came to life again to give us the assurance of the forgiveness of sins and the opportunity to become an eternal citizen of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God comes from God. All believers are citizens in this Kingdom. Jesus came to earth to tell us of this Kingdom which will be in existence forever. The Kingdom of God is where God lives. Jesus said the Kingdom of God is within you. When you ask Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior, you are asking to be a member of God’s Kingdom. It begins in your heart and will go on forever. Someday you will actually SEE God and His Kingdom when Jesus returns to earth. What a wonderful Day that will be! So what is so wonderful about the Kingdom of God? The Kingdom of God is where God is! That is where all people really want to be. God loves you as no one else can. He has great and wonderful plans for your life on earth and for your life in heaven with Him for all eternity. God is the King over all the earth and He wants you to be a part of His Kingdom. He wants you to serve Him with a life that pleases Him. He wants you to be a Kingdom Kid! There is a custom in many kingdoms of the world, such as England, that when the King or Queen are living in the castle, the royal flag flies high above the castle. That reminds me of a song that Christians can sing: There is a flag flown high from the castle of my heart, the castle of my heart, the castle

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of my heart, for the King is in residence there! That means that King Jesus lives and rules in your heart. Be a Kingdom Kid now and in heaven forever! Prayer: Dear God, You are a great and mighty King over all the earth. There is no king more wonderful than You. Come live in my heart, King Jesus, because I want to be a Kingdom Kid forever. Amen. - Barbara Since this is my last “Kingdom Kids” column, I want to send my love to you all and also want you to know how very much I enjoyed sharing my thoughts with you these past 28 years. Keep the faith! Keep Jesus in your heart! --Barbara (Editor’s Note: Back in July of 1988 Barbara Hawkinson began this column to share the wonderful love of God with children. Since then, LBEA has heard from many adults who also enjoy reading the Kingdom Kids articles. All Christians are members of the Kingdom of God and so we are all Kingdom Kids. Barbara is now retired and no longer writing this column - this is the last one. We know that many of you have been blessed by her writings and she prays that you all will remain “Kingdom Kids” and we will look each other up in God’s eternal Kingdom someday.) “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our

lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

WE’RE SAFE

The United States Bullion Depository in Fort Knox, Kentucky, is a fortified building that stores 5,000 tons of gold bullion and other precious items entrusted to the federal government. Fort Knox is protected by a 22 ton door and layers of physical security: alarms, video cameras, minefields, barbed razor wire, electric fences, armed guards, and unmarked Apache helicopters. Based on the level of security, Fort Knox is considered one of the safest places on earth. As safe as Fort Knox is, there’s another place that’s safer, and it’s filled with something more precious than gold: Heaven holds our gift of eternal life. The apostle Peter encouraged believers in Christ to praise God because we have “a living hope” - a confident expectation that grows and gains strength the more we learn about Jesus. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in

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the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5) Our hope is based on the resurrected Christ. His gift of eternal life will never come to ruin as a result of hostile forces. It will never lose its glory or freshness, because God has been keeping and will continue to keep it safe in heaven. No matter what harm may come to us in our life on earth, God is guarding our souls. Our inheritance is safe. Like a safe within a safe, our salvation is protected by God and we are secure. - Marvin Williams (Our Daily Bread)

AN INHERITANCE IN HEAVEN IS THE SAFEST POSSIBLE PLACE! DEPENDENCE DAY

teenagers talk about gaining their independence. Many adults have the goal of being “independently wealthy.” And senior citizens want to maintain their independence. Whether anyone is ever truly independent is a discussion for another time and place - but it sounds good. Craving political or personal independence is one thing: daring to pursue spiritual independence is problematic. What we need instead is a recognition and acceptance of our deep spiritual DEPENDENCE. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Far from being self-reliant, we are totally and eternally dependent on the One who died to set us free. Every day is our “dependence day.” - Bill Crowder (Our Daily Bread)

In the USA, the Fourth of July is a national holiday when outdoor grills are heated up; beaches are packed; and cities and towns have parades and fireworks displays, picnics, and patriotic celebrations. All of this is in OUR GREATEST remembrance of July 4, 1776, when STRENGTH COMES the 13 American colonies declared FROM DEPENDENCE their independence. ON OUR STRONG GOD. Independence appeals to all THE LIGHTER SIDE ages. It means “freedom from the A parishioner recently told a true control, influence, support, and aid of others.” So it’s not surprising that story about the Pastor of his church. The Pastor had a kitten that climbed Page Fourteen

up a tree in his backyard and then so the Mom finally told her little girl, was afraid to come down. The “Well, if God gives you a cat, I’ll let Pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, you keep it.” She told the pastor, “I etc. Since the kitty would not come watched my child go out in the yard, down and the tree was not sturdy get on her knees, and ask God for enough to climb, the Pastor decided a cat. And really, Pastor, you won’t that if he tied a rope to his car and believe this, but I saw it with my pulled it until the tree bent down, own eyes. A kitten suddenly came he could then reach up and get the flying out of the blue sky, with its kitten. That’s what he did, all the paws outspread, and landed right in while checking his progress in the front of her.” car. He then figured if he went just a little bit farther, the tree would be Never underestimate the Power of bent sufficiently for him to reach God and His unique sense of humor! the kitten. But as he moved the car (Submitted by LBEA Board a little farther forward, the rope member Kay Molstrom) broke. The tree went ‘boing!’ and the kitten instantly sailed through GIVE ME A SENSE OF HUMOR, the air - out of sight. LORD The pastor felt terrible. He walked GIVE ME THE GRACE all over the neighborhood asking TO SEE A JOKE people if they’d seen a little kitten. TO GET SOME HUMOR No, nobody had seen a stray kitten. OUT OF LIFE So he prayed, “Lord, I just commit AND PASS IT ON this kitten to your keeping,” and went on about his business. A few days TO OTHER FOLKS later he was at the grocery store, and AMEN ! met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping What did Summer say to Winter? cart and was amazed to see cat Help! I’m going to Fall! food. This woman was a cat hater Why is it really hot in a stadium after and everyone knew it, so he asked a football game? her, “Why are you buying cat food Because all the fans left! when you hate cats so much?” She AMEN TO THAT! replied, “You won’t believe this”, English is good at borrowing words and then told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but from other languages. Amen is she kept refusing. Then a few days borrowed from the Hebrew language. before, the child had begged again, The root word in Hebrew means Page Fifteen

“believe.” It’s helpful to remember that “believe” is an essential part of what we are expressing when we say “Amen.” God saved us sinners, sending Jesus to die on the cross. On the third day, Jesus rose to life again, the firstborn of all God’s children who would not perish in death but have eternal life. We, together with the whole Christian Church on earth, hear this good news, and we add to it our loud “Amen!”

“Amen” is a life-changing word. If a buddy tells you a fish story about catching the big one, you might believe it, but you wouldn’t say “amen” to it. Such things don’t really change our lives. But when we add our “amen” to the good news that Jesus died and rose again to save us sinners, we are saying, “That good news is my good news. His death on the cross is my death to sin. His resurrection from the grave is my new and eternal life. Amen, I believe it, and I will live in that faith all my days.” - Ronnie L. Koch (Portals of Prayer) To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:21)