A Legacy to Follow

Series: Reflections on Romans 12

Today I attended a funeral service celebrating the life of Danny Duggan. Loved ones shared the legacy of his Family, his Service, and his Walk with God. Danny’s exemplary life was compared to that of Christ. He has truly left a legacy that will lead us to our eternal home.

Danny served as Executive Director of Cherokee Home for Children since 1998. His death was the result of head injuries while playing basketball with the children of the home, Aggies for Christ, and other staff. Danny was 59 years old.
My family and I were blessed to have been associated with Danny and his family when they moved to Stephenville to work with us at Foster’s Home for Children.

This past week, since Danny’s accident, has been one of mixed emotions for me. I treasure the time we had together while our children were young and we were sharing common dreams and goals for the precious children in our care. I treasure the spiritual bond we had as we shared our struggles and prayed for wisdom and guidance in the challenges we faced daily. My heart is broken because I know the pain and suffering of a family whose loved one has gone home. I know by God’s grace, they will find comfort and the strength to follow in his steps. He will continue to minister through them and all whose lives he has touched.

I know Danny would agree, there truly is no journey that compares to our journey with God to our heavenly home. My heart literally “jumps for joy” when I reflect upon the way God’s Spirit moves and works in our lives. While living as a houseparent at Foster’s Home, I discovered a passage that defined God’s purpose for my life, then and now. The scripture is from Romans 12:1-8 in the New Living Translation:

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. As God’s messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other and each of us needs all the others. God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

“Thank you, Father, for Danny and the legacy he left for us to follow. Thank you for his faithful life of service. May we, like him, recognize our gifts and use them to Your glory. Thank you for the gift of Your Son, in whose name we pray, Amen”

Jan Alderfer
Stephenville, TX

Buy'em Both!

Series: Encouragement



A while back I overheard a couple of men talking about a recent real-estate purchase. The one who made the purchase said he had been “eyeing” a piece of property for sometime, but kept putting off the purchase until he could get the land next to it. He knew it was a risky wait, but felt it was best to get the two pieces of land together. Within a couple of months the adjacent property became available and he quickly made an offer and secured both properties. The other man asked him why he wanted both properties. His friend replied, “I could have made the first property work. But owning both properties provides more options for what I intend to do with the property.

Solomon said “two are better than one”. I don’t think he had real-estate deals in mind when he wrote those words. He was talking about companionship. I think a lot of bible verses live in the spirit of Solomon’s words. They mean more to us when we take them in “twos”.

Hebrews 10:25 is one of those verses. The writer says, “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.” Historically, the first part of the verse has received more than its share of attention. It is referred to as the ole “git yourself to church” verse. A quick reading of the book of Hebrews reveals that the readers were experiencing great trials. Pressures of one kind or another were bearing down on them and squeezing faith out of their hearts. Some were on their way “out of the assembly”. He urges them to stay focused on what really matters and not give up their faith like Esau who gave up his birthright because hunger pains made a moment of soup sound like a good trade (12:16-17). But some had already been through the soup line. And, in all likelihood, they wouldn’t hear the reading of this magnificent letter when it came to the little house churches that first received it.

The writer turns to those who would hear it and says, “Consider how to stir up one another to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). “Not forsaking” is prefaced by a call to be responsible toward one another. “Consider one another “ and “not forsaking” are two pieces of biblical real-estate that are meant to go together.

Robert Collier said, “Most of us, swimming against the tide of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement – and we will make the goal.” These days, “How are you?” has about as much weight as a mini marshmallow! We have made “bump and run” conversation an art form. Our fast paced culture conditions us to rush through our daily routines checking off our task lists. Sunday rolls around and we assure ourselves that everybody knows Hebrews 10:25. But sometimes believers forget that the call to confession and connectedness comes on the heels of a call to be a responsible community. “Consider one another” is essential to “not forsaking”.

As I write this my mind is bouncing around between towns and states, revisiting homes, schools, out-of-the-way congregations, basketball games and sorting through mail received once upon a time. It is impossible to separate my faith and who I am today from the many people who “considered me” and “stirred me” in some way. If I provided the list of people few if any of you would know anyone on the list. The point is, I know them. They mattered in my life. And, for me, that counts big time! They lived their lives in the quiet corners of the world rarely making press about anything. But, they were people who dropped words into my ears, hugged me, gave me stuff, wrote notes to me during my teen years and who put wind beneath my wings on more than one occasion. They cared about me. They loved me. They helped me get up when my best effort fell short of a particular goal and instilled “one more time” in me. And, they knew about “git’n to church”. But they knew a lot more about what people need to make “git’n to church” have some staying power. And, I’ll never forget them.

People will make it to heaven because other people “considered them” and “stirred them up”. Can it be that plain and simple? I think so. We market the gospel, put pithy sayings on marquees, assure those who listen from a distance with words like “family, care, call us, home, in it together” and so on. People may be drawn by such language. A lot – perhaps most – will not. If it’s true that nine tenths of education is encouragement, I suspect that personalizing Hebrews 10:24 will make a bigger impression. (Maybe that could be one of the refrigerator verses for 2011?)

Each day presents us with an opportunity to “consider” someone. Collier is right. Lots of people swim against the tide of trouble that nobody knows about. And they pass churches everyday. They sit beside us in restaurants, at ballgames, pass us in shopping aisles and brush past us in a hundred other places. They know something is missing. The Lord is there…somewhere. And, “git’n to church” probably crosses their mind once in a while. That’s where we come into the picture. We shouldn’t claim 10:25 and call it a day. We need 10:24, too! Loss, pain and hardship can crowd out the sacrifice and majesty of Jesus. 10:24 gives us eyes for the margins. Who do we need to consider? Who needs to be “stirred up” …again? Let’s speak, write, hug, listen, smile, pay attention, and whatever else we can do to contribute to some “stirring” in somebody. It’s the least we can do as those who “see the day drawing near.”

Gracious Father, you are our greatest encourager! Bathe our hearts in the power of your love and impress on our hearts the worth of every person so that we can be extensions of yourself in someone’s life unto their blessing. Thank you for “considering us”. Empower us to do the same for others everyday. Through Jesus who lives to intercede for us….Amen

Randy Daugherty
Stephenville, Texas

At the Mailbox and Beyond

Series: Encouragement

There are many ways to encourage others--giving of gifts, giving of time, a kind word, prayers, or a hug, just to name a few. My favorite form of encouragement is written words.

It is such a thrill to walk out to the mailbox and find an envelope waiting especially for you, the kind with a handwritten name and address. The kind with a colorful, unique postage stamp--a stamp so unique that it tells you exactly who sent it before you even read the return address. I like this kind of envelope, the kind that makes you swell with joy and eagerness because it lacks the cookie cutter shape. It lacks the cold and detached plastic window that lets you peer in on your own name and address, typed and printed so neatly. It lacks the prepaid postage and flamboyantly printed, unfamiliar return address. It lacks everything that the world says is orderly and sufficient and necessary, but it is more memorable than all the flawless, generic envelopes that we expect to receive everyday.

Isn’t it funny how we get so excited about a handwritten card or letter before we’ve even opened it? Maybe it’s because there is something special about receiving someone else’s words in a form that we can keep forever. Maybe it’s because we know how much time it takes to sit down, pick up a pen, and share a piece of our hearts with someone else.

Written encouragement impacts me in a way that no other form of encouragement can. I love looking back at notes or letters that I received years ago; they still speak to my heart and remind me of my worth and value.

Have you ever been the person at the mailbox? Knowing how much a simple note of encouragement affects me (at the mailbox and beyond), I want to use that form of encouragement to give the same feelings of love and affirmation to others. Some of the greatest letters ever written were sent to Galatia, Philippi, Ephesus, Thessalonica, Colossae, and Corinth long ago. These letters were seasoned with affection, concern, and encouragement for the saints to live lives of holiness. They were sent long before our time, but we still read them. Some of us even read them everyday!

Paul and the early church are the perfect example of the ways in which written words can encourage. What if we wrote to each other in a manner similar to Paul, and frequently, at that? People would receive encouragement daily. We would be consistent in holding each other accountable. We would communicate within the body of Christ in a way that is healthy. We would be forming habits of service and selflessness. We would be affecting change in each others’ lives in a way that we can keep forever. It seems that written encouragement was one of Paul’s favorite ways to encourage. That must mean that Paul thought it was effective--I think he was right.

God,
Help us to realize the power of our words and the power of tangible encouragement. May our hearts be selfless and may we be willing to give of our time and hearts to others each day that we take a breath. Thank you for giving us examples like Paul, Peter, David, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John who remind us that written encouragement is extremely powerful. May we, always, choose to bless with our words, whether written or spoken. We love you and thank you for the ultimate encourager, your Holy Spirit. We love you with all that we are.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Erin Daugherty
Stephenville, Texas

Seeing the Potential

Series: Encouragement

Many years ago, I read an article about a practice session of the Green Bay Packers that illustrates what a big difference we can make by what we say and how we act towards others! On that particular day, things were not going well for Vince Lombardi’s team. Finally, Lombardi’s frustrations peaked. He singled out one of his young guards for his failure to “put out”! It was a hot muggy day when Lombardi called his big guard aside and leveled his awesome vocal guns on him! “Son, YOU are a lousy football player! YOU are not blocking! YOU are not tackling! YOU are NOT putting out! As a matter of fact, it’s over for YOU today, go take a shower!” The big guard dropped his head, turned and slowly walked into the dressing room. About forty-five minutes later, when Lombardi walked in, he saw the big guard sitting in front of his locker still wearing his uniform. His head was bowed and he was sobbing quietly!

Vince Lombardi, ever the changeable but always the compassionate warrior, did something of an about face that was also typical of him. He walked over to his football player and put his arms around his shoulder. “Son,” he said, “I told you the truth. You are a lousy football player. You’re not blocking, you’re not tackling and you’re not putting out. However, in all fairness to you, I should have finished the story. Inside of you, son, there is a great football player and I’m going to stick by your side until the great football player inside of you has a chance to come out and assert himself!” With the encouragement of these words, the young guard began to feel better. He would go on to practice another day. Knowing that he had a coach who was going to stick by his side, the young guard did begin to assert himself as a great football player. As a matter of fact, Jerry Kramer would become one of the all time great guards to ever play professional football! Vince Lombardi could have very possibly destroyed Jerry Kramer. But, instead, he changed course and pointed out the potential that was there and began to reinforce that! We can look back at the record books and see the results!

God has given each one of us a tool of great power! The tongue! We have the power to build up one another or to tear down and destroy one another. I wonder what would happen if the people in God’s kingdom would practice Lombardi’s tactics more often? Often, we say and do things, sometimes even jokingly, that destroys others or leaves scars that last for years. We seldom put forth any effort to encourage or build up one another. So many times, we contaminate our environment with negative words and actions that our spiritual growth stagnates or stops completely. If you are not a Vince Lombardi fan, then listen to the words of James and Paul!
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” James 1:26 ESV
“But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” Galatians 5:15 ESV
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion,……” Ephesians 4:29 ESV
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1Thessaloniaans 5:11 ESV

Heavenly Father, bless us with a wholesome tongue and a wholesome heart as we strive to disciple the wholesomeness of your son. Help us to look for and reinforce the potential in others. In His name, Amen.

Ron Smith
Beeville, Texas

Encouragement: Who Needs It?

Series: Encouragement


I work and serve others at the local hospital and I was reminded recently just how much we all need encouragement. A volunteer who had served our hospital for years sent out a good bye e-mail to all of us employed at the hospital. In that e-mail she told how much she had enjoyed volunteering and serving those in our community. She also encouraged us by saying, “Remember to smile once in a while and say hello to us nobody’s when you walk down the hall.” As you can imagine, those words pierced my soul. She blessed us by volunteering and making our jobs easier and as a whole we failed to encourage her.

How hard is it to smile and say hello to those in our path? God made us able to do these very simple things and yet sometimes we reserve them for those we know well. Remember! We are an “apprentice of Christ” and Christ went out of his way to recognize people who were routinely overlooked and ignored.

Keep your eyes open. It could be a child or someone elderly, crippled, disabled or maybe one of your friends. Perhaps God put them in your path so you could be the one to bring them a word of encouragement. I quote Paul in II Cor. 7:6: “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus”. Let’s be “Titus” to someone everyday!

Prayer:
Father God, use me this day to encourage the people who cross my path. I also want to thank you for sustaining and encouraging me every second of every day. I know if you were to withdraw your hand from me for even a moment I would sink into nothingness as when a drop of dew exhales into the air. I am grateful to you. In the name of Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Terry Smith
Stephenville, Texas

Pay it Forward!

Series: Encouragement


A recent trend is called “Pay it forward”. There was a novel written in 2000 about a young boy whose school teacher inspired him to do helpful things for people. He only asked those beneficiaries to “Pay it forward” and do something nice or helpful for others. The book was inspirational and spurred a nation-wide movement in the United States.


The concept of "paying it forward" was really devised more than 2000 years ago! The actions of Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement”, were extreme examples of paying it forward. Acts 4:36 describes the generosity of Barnabas who sold his land and gave the proceeds to help needy Christians. Barnabas accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys. He was an encouragement to Paul and to the new Christian converts. Barnabas encouraged John Mark when Paul lost patience with that young man. Barnabas could see promise in John Mark and encouraged his development as a future leader in the Church.

How can we be encouragers? It does not require the extreme examples demonstrated by Barnabas to encourage other people. It only takes observation and perhaps as little as a smile, a hug or a handshake. Job 29:24 says “I smiled on them when they had no confidence; and the light of my countenance they did not extinguish.” This was an example of Job being an encourager. I recommend you read all of Chapter 29 of Job for a long list of Job’s actions to “Pay it forward” and encourage others.


Have you ever noticed that most people in Walmart are not smiling? It is fun to flash smiles at people in Walmart and get smiles in return. It takes very little effort on our part and may have a positive impact on someone you pass in the aisle. You may even exert a bit more effort and speak a kind word. It might take you out of your comfort zone, but baby steps of encouraging others can help build your confidence and ability to give an encouraging word! You don’t have to limit your sharing to Walmart, but it is a safe place to start. You might try paying for someone’s coke or sandwich at a fast food restaurant or convenience store. I assure you would make someone’s day brighter while demonstrating Christ’s love.


Lord, help me to be an encouragement to others this week and follow the examples of Barnabas and Job. Please let me observe needs that may be met with my help.

Sherilyn Svien
Stephenville, Texas