The Fight

I've been intrigued by the concept of warfare in life these past few days, but rather than not posting anything about it for lack of time and a persistent sense of perfectionism, I thought I’d share this little piece of British literature that I love because it speaks of courage, passion, allegiance, valor. War for the Christian is an incredible concept—especially when you consider that the ultimate battle is already won and that victory is His! So, fellow Christian, fight for the King of Bethlehem and Calvary this Christmas!

This day is call’d the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam’d,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbors,
And say, “Tomorrow is Saint Crispian.”
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say, “These wounds I had on Crispin’s day.”
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he’ll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names,
Familiar in their mouths as household words . . .
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember’d.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered.
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. (Act IV, Scene III)

'Tis the Season

The real meaning of Christmas is severely lost in most malls, stores, and homes today, but ironically enough, the rough and nondescript Charlie Brown Christmas Story still plays on major networks across America today—no small thing.

Don’t be afraid to be a little platoon of hope this Christmas, whether it’s caroling to your neighbors, visiting widows and orphans, baking Christmas cookies to share with friends, or writing Christmas cards to people within your sphere of influence.

For Those Who Remain

As a follow up to my last post, here is a link to an incredible testimony from Ann Conway: http://samconway.org/archives/43.

What an amzing God of grace and glory we know and love!

Safely Home

One of my biggest heroes of the faith, Sam Conway, laid his armor down and heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant, welcome into the joy of your Lord” last week. The moment of his dreams is now reality: he has seen his Saviour face to face. By now, he’s probably been reunited with hundreds of the friends he knew, his daughter, his heroes of the faith. Imagine the thrill of meeting new saints, the angels who kept him from harm while in the shadowlands, people who are in Heaven because of him, and who knows how many people whose lives were silently and drastically changed because of the grace of God being lived out in his life.

Mr. Conway personally impacted my life through encouraging and provoking me to be who God made me to be. Some of my best memories from my time at IBLP HQs include time spent with he and his wife, Ann.

Two weeks ago I had the incredible opportunity to spend four hours with Sam and Ann, along with my sisters, Alicia and Abby Carman, and Beth Pleckham. They took us to Joe Gibb’s HQs, out to dinner, and to their home in Cornelius, where they welcomed us, not just as friends---but as members of Christ’s body. While visiting with them, Mr. Conway confidently and unashamedly repeated these words: “All of life is about a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus, I know that He is TRUSTWORTHY, He is FAITHFUL, I don’t know what he has for me tomorrow, but I know that He is GOOD.” I left their home encouraged, provoked, even rebuked for my own lack of faith and trust, and amazed at their unrelenting hope in Christ.

And now, he’s in Heaven: our real home! I was thinking today about Randy Alcorn, who is an author of numerous subjects, his most prevalent being eternity. I was thinking of his book Heaven and couldn't help but imagine where Mr. Conway is right now, and all the wonders that are before his eyes.

In a childlike hope and faith, I like to imagine what Heaven is like, and I think Lewis described it well when he wrote:

"And as He spoke He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before." ----The Last Battle

Can’t wait to see you again, Mr. Conway!

A Week with the Speeds!

Last week was a tremendous expedition of physical excursion, heart deepening, soul searching, quiet reflection, crazy hours, memorable conversations, first-time experiences, and a whole lot of fun. Mrs. Speed has been scheming about having this weeklong retreat for over a year, and it was definitely done in SPEED style! As our little red van pulled into the Speed’s gated driveway, we were greeted by a hand painted sign across the red gate with the words WELCOME WILD WOMEN OF GOD!

The week included living life to the full while enjoying their beautiful home in North Carolina, complete with a Jacuzzi, 3 acre lake, horses, goats, running trails, forest, Andy Griffith shows, and of course---playing with the Speed kids!

Special features and events during this week were extravagant and unforgettable: devotionals from Jenny on walking in faith rather than fear, visiting Mount Airy, the hometown of Andy Griffith, dining with Sam and Ann Conway (more on that in a later post!), white water rafting, kayaking, swimming, and just being.

I so enjoyed the opportunity to spend more concentrated time with God and people of all ages. Because God is intrinsically good, He can’t help but give good things to His children, and this weeklong trip will definitely be remembered as one of His perfect gifts.

Thanks Paul and Jenny, for making this trip happen, for listening to our hearts, and for encouraging each of us to live the dreams He planted in us. I love you guys!