Miracles in Our Midst

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.....Little did I suspect what was about to unfold when the phone rang earlier than usual last Tuesday, April 21. The word was that our friend, Mike Hamilton, was severely ill with a heart-related disorder. Little more than that was known. The outlook was not good. An emergency flight to Deaconess hospital ensued, and a consultation with the surgeon there revealed it was an aortic dissection (a type of aneurysm), and he confirmed the outlook was not good. We were braced for the worst. According to statistics, we feared Mike was already lost.

.....But the people of Marion UMC began to pray. God stepped in with blessing and wisdom for the surgeon. God intervened in Mike's body, even before we began to pray, so that certain damages did not occur. And when the surgeon came out after surgery, he implied we had seen two miracles already ... that Mike had survived the flight, and now, the surgery. Though we felt much more hopeful, the doctor said Mike was still the sickest person in the entire hospital.

.....But God wasn't through working. The doctor thought it might take up to 5 days or so for Mike to wake up. He woke up in less than 24 hours, clear in thought and speech, and asking "What did you do to me?" And at every step, things have gone extremely well, and Mike has been far ahead of the curve, astounding the surgeon and nurses. In fact, he came home yesterday (April 28), one week to the day from this vascular event.

.....Perhaps I shouldn't have given so many details about Mike in this blog ... but we need to stop and GIVE THANKS for this miracle among us. Mike and Denise have expressed how deeply appreciative they are of your many prayers, and of God's greatness and love revealed in Mike's progress. Let US thank Him, too -- may we never be guilty of praying for something, and then failing to thank Him!

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Give thanks with a grateful heart,

Give thanks to the holy One,

Give thanks! Give thanks! Give thanks!

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Taking Her Home to Meet the Parents

Here's something just for fun:

.....A young man found the woman of his dreams and asked her to marry him. He told his mother he wanted her to meet his fiancee, but he wanted to make a bit of a game out of it. He said he would bring the girl over with two other women and see if his mother could guess which was the one he wanted to marry. His mother agreed to the game.
.....That night, he showed up at his mother's house with three beautiful young ladies. They all sat down on the couch, and everyone had a wonderful evening talking and getting to know each other. At the end of the evening, the young man asked his mother, "OK, Mom, which one is the woman I want to marry?"
.....With no hesitation whatsoever, his mother replied, "The one in the middle." Astounded, the young man said, "How in the world did you figure it out, Mom?" "Easy," she said, "I don't like her."

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Home to a Welcome Surprise!

Elizabeth Kirby was full of excitement as she completed her tour of Italy with her school group. She hit the ground running with news that she had been appointed a Governor's Scholar ... so she already has much of her summer planned with learning and growing experiences. Congratulations, Elizabeth!

Royalty at Marion United Methodist Church

And who thought the monarchy was dead? We have living proof that it survives right here in Marion, with double confirmation of His Majesty Cody Dunham. The first acclamation was during the Homecoming Basketball Game last fall, and just recently, at the Senior Prom. With two such votes of confidence, how could anyone doubt the monarchy is alive and well, with Cody Dunham carrying on the grand tradition. Congratulations, Cody!

The Landmark

Once there was a little church on the coast of England ruined by a hurricane. The congregation felt that they were not going to be able to rebuild.

Then one day a representative of the British Admiralty came to the clergyman to ask if they intended to reconstruct the church. The clergyman explained why they could not do it. "Well," said the representative of the British navy, "if you do not rebuild the church, we will. That spire is on all our charts and maps. It is the landmark by which the ships of the seven seas steer their course."

How true on the deeper, spiritual plane as well -- Christ's church is the landmark by which ships and lives can steer their course ... and arrive safely on the other shore.

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Odd Choices

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An Arab chief tells of a spy who was captured and then sentenced to death by a general in the Persian army. This general had the strange custom of giving condemned criminals a choice between the firing squad and the big, black door. As the moment for execution drew near, the spy was brought to the Persian general, who asked the question, "What will it be: the firing squad or the big, black door?"

The spy hesitated for a long time. It was a difficult decision. He chose the firing squad.

Moments later shots rang out confirming his execution. The general turned to his aide and said, "They always prefer the known way to the unknown. It is characteristic of people to be afraid of the undefined. Yet, we gave him a choice."

The aide said, "What lies beyond the big door?"

"Freedom," replied the general. "I've known only a few brave enough to take it."

How like people who resist the love of God, and the calling of Jesus Christ. For them, following God is like walking through the big, black door -- they're afraid of the undefined. And so they settle for a life that is undermined, broken, destroyed by the consequences of sin -- without ever opening the door to FREEDOM in Christ. How sad, how foolish, how ... human.

What choice have YOU made?

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If ...

The resource where I found this poem used in the April 5 sermon did not credit its origin. But some people have spoken of what it meant to them, so I share it with you.

If I knew it was the last time I'd see you fall asleep
...I'd tuck you in more tightly and pray your soul to keep.
If I knew it was the last time I'd see you out the door,
...I'd hug and kiss you one more time and call you back for more.
If I knew it was the last time I'd get to share your day,
...I know that I'd make certain it didn't slip away.
We assume we'll have tomorrow to correct an oversight,
...That we'll always have another chance to make everything all right.
That there will always be another day to say that I love you.
...There will always be another chance to ask, "What can I do?"
But just in case I might be wrong and today is all I get
...I want to say I love you so that you will not forget.
Tomorrow is not promised that we'll see another night.
...Today could be my last chance to love and hold you tight.
Instead of waiting for tomorrow, show your love somehow.
...For if tomorrow never comes you'll wish you'd done it now.
That you didn't take the extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss --
...Instead you were busy, too busy for the one that you now miss.
Hold your loved one close today and whisper in their ear.
...Tell them that you love them and why you hold them dear.
Say "I'm sorry, please forgive me, you're the best, it's OK"
...So if tomorrow never comes you'll not regret today.

....................................... -- Author Unknown

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Heaven Rejoices!

Imogene Stout "went on to glory," as she was so fond of saying, about 5 p.m. Saturday, April 4, 2009. I'd teased her before that she couldn't go, because my calendar was full ... I didn't want such a joyful, laughing spirit to leave us. But she had to keep this appointment, and Imogene, I will "clear" my calendar for you. The Bible says "the kingdom of heaven is like a party," so I know you'll fit right in, and you'll be right beside the Lord preparing a place for us. Our sadness is heaven's joy, but we're coming! We're coming! See you soon!

WG <><

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Scout Sunday a Great Experience!

The Presentation of Colors

Scouts lead the Pledge of Allegiance,

and declare their Scout Oath and Promise.

Jake Urbanowski talks to the kids about working together


Matthew Dunham does an excellent job with his
first reading of Scripture in a public worship service.

Other Scouts led various acts of worship, and a special word of recognition was given to the scouts who were instrumental in saving the lives of an elderly couple who had nearly succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning during the 2009 Ice Storm. Way to go, guys! And thanks for sharing the Lord's Day with us! Come again -- SOON and OFTEN!

A MUST-see Video: Watch to the End!!

May the Resurrection Joy of Easter ring in YOUR heart, too!

WG <><

Annual Conference and New Appointments

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The pastor walked into the pet shop and told the clerk, "I'd like to order 50 mice, 2000 cockroaches, and all those little silverfish bugs you can get." The clerk, astounded, said, "Well, it'll take a bit, but I believe we can get those for you. But, if I may ask, why do you want these things?" To which the pastor replied, "I'm moving to a new church, and the trustees told me to leave the parsonage exactly the way I found it!"

And then there was the pastor who, thinking to upgrade the bathrooms at the church, decided to install hot air hand dryers. Things were working great, but two weeks later, he took them out. When asked why he'd take out something that had been such a nice addition to the church, he said, "Well, I walked in one day and saw a sign taped to the dryer -- 'Press button for a sample of next week's sermon!' "

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