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My last job before retiring was office manager and secretary of the church at which Steve and I met and got married. I had always dreamed of working in a Christian organization, but no such position opened for me until Dale Shaffer approached me after church and asked if I was still looking for a new job. He was in leadership at our church and knew the office manager position would be available. To my amazement, I soon found myself sitting at a desk in the church office outside of the senior pastor’s office.

Now that my dream job had become a reality, I had the privilege of serving the senior pastor, youth pastor, and the church at large in many ways—answering phones, opening mail, creating weekly bulletins and inserts telling of upcoming events, and collecting prayer requests and praying weekly with the pastors and staff for needs of people in our congregation. Often as I sorted through the mail, I would skim over magazines and advertising that the church received. World Magazine was among them. I would read a short article or two before passing it on to the pastor. I recognized that it was a well-written Christian news source. Soon we began subscribing to it for home delivery. That was more than 20 years ago. What a boost reading World has been to my understanding of national and world news from a biblical perspective.

Ten years after first subscribing, I learned about World Radio and their daily podcast titled The World and Everything in It, updated every Monday through Friday morning. Nearly every day Steve and I listen to the podcast that provides Biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires. That’s World’s motto.

I suggest you search for The World and Everything in It on your search engine or podcast app and listen for a week. I’d love to hear how you like it. Check out their website: http://www.wng.org

My Charmer

A saying we’ve all heard, third time’s a charm, is true for me. Here’s an excerpt from my book, A Goldilocks Life, due to come when I find a publisher.

“Before Steve had even proposed, the honeymoon was planned, at least in my mind. We were crazy in love and spent every spare moment together. I felt sure he would pop the question any day. I couldn’t have been more excited about the prospect of marrying a godly, intelligent, talented guy. It almost felt too good to be true. After two failed marriages, I believed this one would be wonderful. I thought of the saying, third time’s a charm. I prayed it would be true. I would never have known all Steve’s great qualities if I had approached the relationship like I had my first two husbands. In my life prior to knowing Jesus, I slept with men before I knew them very well.

With my mom and Ralph retired to Florida, it occurred to me that Steve and I could honeymoon there. We’d leave my daughter, Kellyn and son, Ray in Mom’s care, then proceed on a romantic get-away. The kids would visit Disney World and other entertaining destinations with Grandma Pauline.  I called Mom to ask if she would mind helping when the time came. She was thrilled to hear our relationship was heading toward matrimony. I made her promise not to tell anyone. I wanted to be the one to share the news with my siblings. There was one technicality—Steve hadn’t asked me to marry him!

The timing of Steve’s proposal caught me off guard. It was early February, about a week before Valentine’s Day. We were imbibing fancy coffee and listening to live folk music at The Bean Counter, a favorite date night. He placed a tiny brown velvet satchel on the table and gazed into my eyes, saying, “I bought you something with my tax return.” I untied it, wondering what could be inside. Out slipped a sparkly gold-set diamond ring! Tears confirmed my assent as I slipped it on. Could this really be happening? My heart was soaring with thankfulness. Upon arriving back at my condo, we spent more time than usual in the back seat of his convertible.

The next seven months flew by in a blur of setting dates, deciding where we would live, and keeping from having sex. I wanted to be a virgin to Steve, and it took all the self-control God granted us for that to happen.

We met with Pastor Steve, and he recommended we attend pre-marriage counseling with a couple we knew from our Sunday school class. John and Lana walked us through the biblical preparations for a couple who had each been married before. We wanted our life together built on solid Rock, not shifting sand, like our previous marriages.

Our church ceremony the following summer was traditional. I wore a simple white dress. My daughter, Steve’s daughter, Aimee and my dear friend, Nancy, stood up with me. Ray was part of the wedding party on the groom’s side. Our eyes were fixed on one another, Pastor Steve asked us to repeat our vows. Later, Pastor said he had never seen a happier couple.

We served cake and punch in fellowship hall afterward. My old friend and singing partner Sue sang an impromptu romantic song at the reception. The day was memorable for all the best reasons.

The honeymoon plans came together, thanks to Mom and Ralph hosting my kids. Steve and I dined out, visited tourist sights, and spent a lot of time in our hotel room.”

Now, 26 years later, we’re more in love with each other than the day we married. The third time is a charm, a blessing I accept with deep gratitude.

Prayer for Immeasurably More

Ephesians 3:14-21

Photo by Arina Krasnikova on Pexels.com

I remember the day Darla Petty died. She was my pastor’s wife when we lived in Colorado Springs. Dear Darla, that’s what I called her. Faithful. Funny. Smart. Talented as a church pianist. Hard working—she had to be as a pastor’s wife. How brief this life is, I thought as I read the news of her passing. How fast things change. Her daughter, Emily kept all of us old friends updated with her hopeful posts through a month-long health ordeal. But those last days sounded less optimistic. I sensed the end was near, even though we prayed for healing. Emily’s post that day said, “She’s home. She’s home. ❤️ she is with Jesus, and we rejoice~”

Because of her faith in Jesus Christ, dear Darla is Home! We may rejoice. Though we asked the Lord for a return to health, Darla received the ultimate healing. She’s with her Savior Jesus Christ; her pain is gone. The family left behind suffers, but not as those who have no hope. We wanted Darla with us longer. It wasn’t the Father’s will. That didn’t stop us from praying, though. And we still trust in God, despite the outcome. Why? Because Christ dwells in our hearts through faith, Ephesians 3, verse 17. We know no matter what that Christ’s love is deep, wide, long, and high. God wants us to know His love surpasses knowledge. He calls us to be filled with His fullness. We are consoled by such amazing love.

This powerful prayer by the Apostle Paul directs us to look up, to consider the God we’re appealing to. Paul prays for us who believe to be rooted in God’s power and love. He wants us to grasp Christ’s love and be filled with it. Verse 20 says “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”  Be assured He is working. Let’s pray and watch for immeasurably more.