Overcoming Pandemic Difficulties

As the pandemic lingers, I often wonder how you are. I picture your joyful faces and imagine hearing about what God is doing in your life. I imagine each of you has someone you long to see or visit. So many plans; so much undoing. I stand amazed and grateful for our Pastoral Staff, virtually gifting our congregation with meaningful worship. No small task! And, how blessed we are with a congregation eager to share God’s Word to our brothers and sisters in Christ! 

Recently I read the phrase, “I just want to return to what we had.” Do you, also, feel like you’re walking in a new world - caught in the middle of two unacceptable choices, wishing for what we had? 

We are creatures of habit—our schedules and agendas mold us into consistency. We don’t like change. I must confess little “snippities” escape now and then if there’s no consistency. Move the lens to a different angle, and picture what God’s perfect will may be in this pandemic.

As a young teacher, I recall the dismay and frustration our staff experienced when a program was rescheduled, or testing delayed lunch, or heaven forbid, playground was cancelled due to inclement weather! Teacher unease was not so much due to agenda as how it would affect the children. What then?

Children often approach change with apprehension, mistrust, and worry--for good reason. When their schedules are consistent, their lives seem to move along nicely, and growth is usually seen. Eliminate one thing...and look out! A child might become fidgety, out of sorts, or lose focus. With no strategies in place, a loss of growth is possible. Children need consistency. We need consistency. Life chugs along at max speed when schedules are consistent, and needs are met. Remove one precious asset? Uh-Oh! 

At my school, teachers were perplexed during a five-day streak of 100-degree days and “O-Dark-Thirty." My sweet first grade children looked like jellyfish out of water. We drank lots of water. We played Alphabet Bingo. We found plastic counters with flashlights—then added them up. We got hot! We ate popsicles. When we can’t have what we want/need, we get creative. Some get snippety. More in a moment...

We are so grateful for God’s provisions during this pandemic. My husband, David is being treated for CLL. Like some of you, his doctors recommend we all stay at home until there is a vaccine for COVID-19. Although we are not fond of the thought of hibernating for two years, I will support my husband’s health needs because it’s part of our marriage vows. This is just one of the difficult strategies people are facing all over the world.

We are only a tiny fraction of the many faces—all of us are in this together. I say this with the greatest love and respect for those of you going through much worse. We stand with you, elbow to elbow, praying God’s absolute best for you!

 “Do not resist or run from the difficulties in your life. These problems are not random mistakes; they are hand-tailored blessings designed for your benefit and growth. Embrace all the circumstances that I allow in your life, trusting Me to bring good out of them. View problems as opportunities to rely more fully on Me.  When you start to feel stressed, let those feelings alert you to your need for Me... your needs become doorways to deep dependence on Me and increasing intimacy between us...reliance on Me produces abundant living in My kingdom. Thank Me for the difficulties in your life since they provide protection from the idolatry of self-reliance.” (Jesus Calling, May 10, by Sarah Young)

Back to my first-grade class … first I prayed to my Heavenly Source. Then, I searched for an alternate source of air coolant. Never have I been more elated as when I found a scratched and dented box fan! It wasn’t pretty, but it worked. Funny, those long forgotten “less than” items can cause us to give thanks when they supply the greatest amount of comfort in the present.

There is a strategy for assuring consistency in the lives of children and adults. Might not be popular or cool. But it’s one we can do for our Heavenly Father. Choose to overcome difficulties...for Him. He did it for us.

Jan O’Neal
May 18, 2020

Scripture References: John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Ephesians 5:20

Faith, Hope, and the Unseen

About a year ago, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 popped up everywhere in varied ways...my devotions, a conversation, hearing a song or a prayer. But it was verse 18 that elicited my attention:

“We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

At first, it didn’t register that I should seek the Lord about why this was happening, or what His purpose was.

Then one day last summer, I received a beautiful card from a dear friend. Inside was a shiny sticker on which was part of the same verse. Hope in the Things Unseen jumped out at me. It was almost as if God said: “Put your hope in things you cannot see.”

I got the message. Humbled, it became clear how out of touch I had been. I began to search, wait, and hope for my next verse to arrive. It happened during the Apostles’ summer sermon series on Hebrews: 

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for the conviction
of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

No one loves a treasure hunt more than me! This led to cross-referencing Bible verses to know more about “things not seen,” “hidden things,” and the “unseen.” * Paul wrote about one of those treasures in 1 Corinthians 13:13.

“Now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Knowing I’m not the only eager one to find the unseen, I began to wonder. What causes these four words, faith, hope, love, and the unseen, to be linked together? 

HOW TO DISCOVER THE UNSEEN IN THIS PRESENT DAY
Where does one find the unseen? Does it occupy earthly space? Are humans able to understand the unseen while living on Earth?

To answer these questions, I first had to ask myself, do you really understand what hope is...from God’s perspective?  Looking up synonyms for hope, turned up abide, a synonym which means endure. Hope is not a flimsy wish...it hangs in there. Hope abides. It doesn’t give up. It withstands life itself.

Faith is found in our spiritual heritage. Just a few examples of not giving up are:

• Abraham believed in hope against hope that he would become a father to many nations; he was credited as righteousness.
• King David said, “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered.”
• When Jesus hung on the cross dying, he prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
• In prison, Paul sang songs of praise and wrote letters of encouragement to the believers.

Worship and “the Unseen”

• The Holy Spirit’s presence in worship is such a sacred part of liturgy and crosses all barriers. God longs for us to come into His presence; He knows when we do, we will experience His unseen presence. 

Music 

• Listening to and singing Christian music infuses me with energy and a hopefulness that may have been lacking before. It is reassuring to me that while preparing this blog, these lyrics ran through my mind:

“My hope is built on nothing less

  Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness

  I dare not trust the sweetest frame

  But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.”

“On Christ the Solid Rock I stand

  All other ground is sinking sand,

  All other ground is sinking sand.”

HOW TO GIVE HOPE TO OTHERS
Although hope is not a tangible gift, it is something that can be shared.

Encouraging Others
Encouragement, not false hope, gives others a sense of hope and affirmation. By encouraging “even the least of these,” we are being Jesus’ hands and feet. Just one note of encouragement can brighten someone’s day.

Praying with Friends
Prayer is the great equalizer, lifting us out of the doldrums and into the Presence of God. How can we not feel a bit more hopeful in His place of promise?  “For where two or three are gathered in My Name, there am I with them.” Mt.18:21

HOPE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS AROUND THE GLOBE
Part of what cannot be seen are the people we will never see. Continual prayer for those we don’t know, reading His Word, and trusting Him fills those unseen gaps.

I recall a time, praying for a burden so deep, but the answer didn’t come. I must admit being discouraged. Even so, I prayed more. No answer. More discouragement. For years, I prayed continuously. Still no answer. Heartbroken, I continued to pray. Now, years later, answers are arriving...bit by bit! 

I am thankful for the unseen when tiny pieces of prayers are answered. Thankfulness leads to worship and praise. Suddenly, the prayer is not so important, after all. The King of Kings is preeminent. There is peace and hope in His unseen presence as He works all things together in His time.

Lord Jesus,
Although, there is so much more to learn about the unseen, I’m not giving up on it. I pray that others won’t either. Truly, all our hope is in you, the unseen, risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Jan O’Neal
April 26, 2020

Verses on Hope:
Job 17:15; Job 13:15
2 Cor. 4:16-18, 2 Cor. 5:7, 1 Cor. 13:12, 1 Cor. 13:7
Hebrews 11:1 
Psalm 112:7

Resurrection Then ... and Now

“At dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb.” Matthew 28:1-10

Imagine the emotional turmoil in Jerusalem during Passover Week. Even before Jesus’ arrest, the twin curses of confusion and chaos had been unleashed. Judas, one of the chosen, betrayed his King. Their Messiah had been unmercifully beaten and crucified. A living nightmare unfolded for the disciples, and Jesus’ followers. One can almost taste and smell the vile injustice and cowardice. Where were they to turn now?

Picture Mary Magdalene and the women—trudging to the tomb, hearts broken and numb. Most likely their minds recalled every conversation they had with Jesus. Perhaps, none could move beyond their grief. 

Mary must have felt panicked when she saw the stone had been rolled away. She wasted no time in running to tell Simon Peter and John to come see. John not only saw; he quickly determined that Jesus had resurrected and believed. 

As the men left for home, Mary remained weeping, not grasping the miracle. When she looked inside the tomb, she saw two angels who asked, “Woman, why are you weeping?” After explaining to them that her Lord had been taken away, she turned around and saw another man who was Jesus. But she didn’t recognize Him. 

Picture, for a moment, this sorrowful scene. Mary is beyond being emotionally distraught; she cannot recognize her Teacher, the very one for whom she is grieving. She is exhausted and mistakes Him for the gardener. But at the sound of Jesus’ voice, when He says, “Mary,” she immediately recognizes Him and replies, “Rabboni!” Her Teacher, who was dead for three days, was now miraculously alive. Mary’s belief in the fact that Jesus had resurrected makes her one of the first believers. 

The poignancy of this resurrection moment is so powerful it makes me want to stop and shout, Hallelujah!! But Jesus immediately gives Mary a directive and a mission: 1) “Do not cling to Me,” and 2) “Go tell My brethren I ascend to My Father and Your Father, and My God and your God.”  

If we look closer at Mary Magdalene, there are several things that speak of her faith. She was:

Devoted and Grateful
Jesus had cast out seven demons from Mary. She had been freed from the bondage of Satan, seven times over. Imagine the depth of her gratefulness! Jesus’ love had transformed Mary into a new creature, with a new attitude, and, most importantly, a new spirit. Her radical life-change directly impacted her devotion to and faith in Jesus. 

Listening 
Having a bit of ADD as a young girl, I recall my dad advising, “Listen up, girl.” Distraction is a black hole of befuddlement. Those were the times I lost the message and the meaning. It seems Mary’s born-again experience motivated her spiritually to listen to Jesus’ message.  His teachings directly impacted the things she heard so she could trust Him fully.

Faithful
After witnessing Jesus’ barbaric crucifixion, Mary’s grief and confusion became profound; this could have stymied her faith. The unsettling flashbacks could have overwhelmed her. But Mary’s faith in Jesus spoke of bold authenticity. She would not be moved. Ultimately, Jesus blessed her with His first post resurrection apparition.

In the face of adversity, such as our present pandemic, I tend to get distracted by the “what-ifs” and “whys.” Studying these events permits me to see things clearly from God’s perspective. The Resurrection comes into its proper focus.

Since Jesus is the Resurrection, His blood sacrifice cancels all sins for all eternity to any who believe. Resurrection is validation that we are God’s children and are part of His family.

Jesus’ resurrection frees us to boldly proclaim with full hearts: “Christ the Lord is risen today. Hallelujah! He is risen, indeed! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”

Lord Jesus,

Words cannot adequately express our thanks to You for the free gift of Eternal Life. Teach us to be effective Resurrection people every day of the year, so that You would be lifted high and glorified. We pray this in your holy name. Amen.
                                                                                                                
~ Jan O’Neal | April 12, 2020
                    
Bibliography:
Matthew 28:10
Luke 9: 31
Luke 18:31-33
Luke 18:34 
John 20:1-2, 20:11-16
Hebrews 11:1-3

Mission Partner Highlight | The Gideons International

During his early teens, Anthony Payton chased after drugs in hopes of filling a void left in his heart. He would get paid for the drugs he was trafficking and then use the money to support his own addiction, a habit that landed him in jail.

He began attending a bible study led by a Gideon, who would often visit the jail. Anthony developed a relationship with the Gideon, and he would listen to the message of God's word week after week. During one of his visits, the Gideon pulled out a New Testament and shared a series of passages with Anthony. There in that jailhouse, Anthony prayed to receive Jesus Christ. Today, he serves as a pastor leading others to wholeheartedly reach people for the Lord.

Apostles provides financial support to the Gideons who use 100% of the funds to purchase and ship scriptures all over the world. All overhead/administrative costs are paid by the Gideons themselves.  Our church also has a Gideoncard display in the upstairs lobby. There you can donate bibles in memory of a loved one, in honor of someone you want to remember, or to simply say "Thank you" or "I'm praying for you" to someone. 

You can get much more information about how the Lord is using the Gideons: gideons.org

Out Of Idleness: Post-Sabbatical Note from Rev Eric Bolash

Out Of Idleness
Post-Sabbatical Note from Rev Eric Bolash

I’m back! It wasn’t easy setting the alarm for that first Monday morning, but I came in to a “decorated” office as my welcome back from sabbatical. 

I realize it’s been an exceptionally eventful summer for our church. That’s putting it mildly. Although I haven’t been here, I know it’s been difficult. As I return, I am ready and want to be available to walk further with everyone through this time. Call or email if you’d like to get together. I’m eager to listen. 

My time away was restful. The Bolash family had great adventures in Iceland, London and Scotland. A few highlights:

● We met some spirited Icelandic teenagers in a store called Reykjavik Records
● We saw Shakespeare’s A Comedy Of Errors at The Globe
● We tried Haggis in Scotland--which I do not recommend
● We saw Nessie at Loch Ness--I can show you the photo
● Robin and I stayed in an 11th-century Scottish castle
● Robin and I spent several peaceful days in a quiet Scottish fishing village by the sea

Otherwise, as much as I could during the last two months, I have woken up in the mornings, made coffee, had breakfast and then gone out to a quiet spot to read Scripture, pray, walk, read poetry and write poetry. The Lord brought refreshment through the time.

The above title, “Out Of Idleness,” is a phrase from Herman Melville’s novel, Moby Dick. In the novel, Captain Ahab roars his command at the sailors to “split your lungs with blood and thunder” as they pursue the white whale. Meanwhile, in contrast, the harpoonist sits nearby, completely still, quietly waiting. From the book: “To ensure the greatest efficiency in the dart, the harpoonists of the world must start to their feet out of idleness and not out of toil.” Author and pastor Eugene Peterson points out that the harpoonist appears unproductive. But this is only so that when the right moment comes, he is rested and ready for his unique task. 

So, being away allowed some time for idleness. That was a big theme. All of us as Christians need idleness. We need sabbath. Jesus said sabbath was created for us, as a gift to us. In it, we learn that God is always at work. Sometimes he invites us into his work. Sometimes he rests us so that we are again ready for work.

Below you’ll find a sampling from the poems I penned during the time away. I learned that writing decent poetry is harder than it looks. Some of mine was pretty terrible! But the use of words to communicate spiritual truth is an important part of pastoring, so it was a valuable component of my time away. 

Out of Idleness ~ Poems From Sabbatical

I am looking forward to seeing everyone again in worship and joining with you in God’s work in and through this church body.

In Christ,
Eric

Greetings From Gikomero! ~ Church Building Update

The progress on the church construction is moving forward partially due to the $12,000 gift from the Apostles Rwanda Fund.  The government several months ago told the parish that they needed to complete the construction by the end of July or risk the old building (still out of building conformance) being also closed.  The government has witnessed the progress and is not planning to take any such action now that the new building is moving forward so well.  Praise!  Much of the work is done by members of the congregation - the money is mainly for materials and some special sub contractors.

Words below from Marcel Sebahire at the Shyogwe Diocese and good friend of Apostles:

Greetings from Gikomero, your sister church.

We are very excited to share with you about the construction progress that we have done so far.

1. We have finished elevating the walls: The walls are now elevated and well finished;

2. We are done with plastering: The inside walls are all plastered;

3. We have put/installed all doors and windows;

4. We have installed the electrical wires: The rest is to connect the lambs and connect the church electricity system to the public grid;

5. We have finished digging the toilet pits: We are seeing how to construct the toilet building;

6. We have done outside finishing activities for all doors and windows

WHAT IS BEING DONE RIGHT NOW?

1. We are laying stones for pavement with cement

2. We are building the front (altar) and we will continue with tiling.

3. We are putting metal tubes in the two up-sides of the church building where the glasses will be installed.

Guatemala Team ~ June 21, 2019

Receiving a Partnership Certificate for the Church of Apostles from Potter’s House.

Guatemala Team 
Having returned yesterday to Guatemala City from our work in Chiquimula, our morning began with a short drive to Potters House. The ministry, now 33 years old, is a beacon of Light in its neighborhood, adjacent to the city dump. Meeting the staff and seeing the well-established programs and the medical clinic encouraged me to pray and believe God will accomplish the same at the Potters House satellite in Chiquimula.

After our tour, the team had the privilege of walking the neighborhood. We were welcomed into the homes of some of the Potter’s House families, where joyful, tearful reunions of Guatemalans with team members who had worked with the families on prior trips occurred! Before leaving each home, we gathered around and prayed together for them.

We finished our time in Guatemala by traveling to Antigua Friday afternoon. We enjoyed leisure time in this beautiful city.  Active, smoking volcanoes sit on the very near horizon. We leave Guatemala early Saturday morning (alarms set for 3 AM!) with renewed love and gratitude for our Lord’s heart for our brothers and sisters in this beautiful country.  We will look forward to our return next year. Our hope and prayer is that others from Apostles will join us. It’s a privilege, not to be missed. Adios!

Christo vive,
Susanne Berger