LAWS FAMILY UPDATE

The following is a brief update on the Laws family:

Susan: Susan is doing well. Most of you know that she has had two heart attacks and three strokes in recent years which have left her challenged and unable to care for herself. In addition to these concerns Sue has also had a host of other ailments which have effected her quality of life. We recently got her a wheelchair so I am hoping to get her out more often. We are waiting for a decision on her Social Security Disability application. For three years they have said she did not qualify but now we are led to believe she may. We are praying it goes through. Sue is still the sweet person she has always been but still struggles with communicating at length.

Gary: Not much to say here. My full time work is caring for Sue (Sue says it's pay back time lol). I am in good spirits and we are both enjoying the time retirement allows us both. Doctor says my heart is in good shape. I had quintuple by pass a few years ago. Still not 100% but I can't complain.

Cheryl: Our daughter, Cheryl, is the Volunteer Coordinator for The Salvation Army Greater Syracuse Area Services and loves her job. Her children are doing well; 1 in college and three still at home.

Charles has finished his seventeenth year in the US Air Force. He is stationed in Oklahoma (after 15 years in Arizona) and will retire in three yaers. He is married to a wonderful girl, Maggie, and they have three sons. They are very active in their local church.

Cynthia lives with her husband and five children here in Syracuse. She is a full time mom and home schooler. Also very active in her church and is quite a fine Christian lady.

Catherine lives with her husband and five children in Georgia where he serves as Senior Pastor at a large Baptist church. They have a lovely new home this year and are enjoying both the fruits and responsibilities of ministry. Catherine has evolved into a great pastors wife and often takes missionary trip overseas with her husband.

Donna is a wonderful mom and living with her five children here in the area. She works very hard to support her brood and is doing well.

Well, no dogs or cates to report on so I will close this by saying hello to all of our friends. It is a great life and we are enjoying every minute.

What is the Proper Length of Time for Prayer?

Do you know someone who is ill and experiencing great physical and/or emotional difficulty? I am distressed over the numbers of friends I have who are having such a rough way to go. I always take a moment most days to pray for them but I am wondering if this is enough. 

Perhaps I (we) need to be setting aside a significant block of time to pray for our friends and relatives....something more than a brief prayer of petition. Maybe an hour, maybe more. I know, it seems like a long time to block everything else in life out and focus on one thing for such an extended period of time.

But is this too long, really? I don't think so. Our family and friends need to be lifted up and lifted up regularly with a real commitment to extended prayer.

You Must Forsake the Wrong!

If being a Christian only required asking for forgiveness to get to heaven, everyone would want to be a Christian. The problem people have with Christianity is that it, also, requires adherence to a standard of behavior which, in turn, requires a turning away from the desires of this world and the flesh!

No Small Things Here!

When it was time to rise from bed this morning, I put Sues (my disabled wife) clothes out on the bed in preparation for getting her dressed. I went to the kitchen for a moment and, when I returned, I found that she had actually picked her shirt up and put it on all by herself! First time in over two years. A small thing for most, but cause for rejoicing in this house. She was so proud of herself! PTL!

Just Be There!

Just be there! I remember some years ago, my secretary, Glenda, took a personal interest in a man who, year round, slept in his car across from the Corps on a vacant lot. When the police towed his unregistered car away, he slept under a tree by night and sat on the curb outside my office by day. He did not ask for anything from us, only occasionally eating in our soup kitchen. One day Glenda took charge, talked frequently with him and finally convinced him to let her help by getting him an apartment to live in. After much back and forth the man finally agreed and, thanks to Glenda, moved in to his own small apartment. It was there that he would spend the last few months of his life. Off the streets, in relative comfort knowing that someone cared about him. There is much more to the story but let it suffice to say that the work, love and concern of this one Salvation Army lady brought a good deal of peace and comfort to a gentleman in his last days.

As you consider what you might do to help another, just be there...identify and then meet the need. God will bless you for it!

Why Do You Serve Christ?

General Colin Powell said today, " I did not come into the Army to become a General, I came in to the Army to be a good soldier"! WOW! Boy could some learn from him!

Looking for a New Church?

So, you are young, have a family and are looking for a church. You want one with youth groups, men's club, ladies circle, exciting sermons and meaningful music. In other words, you are looking for a 'turn key' church.

But what of those churches which are small and not quite ready for prime time! Imagine how exciting it could be to be a part of 'building a church'! Your presence, and that of your family, will excite a small congregation and may well rejuvenate the saints. Your family will attract other families and adults. The church will be in a better position to grow. New life will present itself! All of this because you made a decision to worship where God can put you and your family to best use for the Kingdom.

There are many fine 'turn key' churches and there are many small churches that will benefit from your families decision to be part of the great work of building the church.

So, where does God really want you to worship and serve? Pray, asking God to place you, and your family, just where He wants you. Blessings!

"Just where he needs me, my Lord has placed me,
Just where he needs me, there would I be!
And since he found me, by love he's bound me
To serve him joyfully."

Whatever Happened to Sin?

The Bible says that "the wages of sin is death' ", yet there is an an alarming number of preachers who refuse to preach about sin and hell! In order to be forgiven of sin one must acknowledge they are a sinner and have violated God's law. However, how can they learn this if they are not confronted with the reality of sin?

When a Door Closes, Who Closes It?

We have all heard the saying, "God never closes one door without opening another". Of course, that can be true for many, however I am not sure this is an absolute. One thing to consider is that, often, doors close as a result of our own poor judgement and/or actions and it is not always God that is closing the door! Is it scriptural to expect God to always come to our rescue? I believe that when we experience hard times, we expect God to do all the work.

Additionally, consider that, sometimes, all doors HAVE been shut! I think that God allows this because 1) in such circumstances we become even more dependent on Him, and that, 2) God expects us to be active in whatever recovery we need and 3) the deeper the struggle the greater we appreciate what He provides.

Arriving at ones destination is often more gratifying and meaningful after a long, difficult trip... as opposed to a drive around the block! GDL

A New Day

Every morning I wake up I say, 'thank you Lord for giving me another day'. Regardless of our circumstances, we can use the day to be productive in some way, help someone who needs us, pay special attention to our children, call someone and give them encouragement, get something on our 'to do list' done or maybe several things. The more we put of ourselves into the day, the better we feel when it comes to a close. We all would like to be a little richer, a little more organized, a little more engaged with life, however, we live best when we take what we do have and then do something with it... every day. Five years ago, the Lord gave me a new lease on life, Dr.'s who kept me alive and brought me back to some measure of health. Because of this, every day is a wonderful day for this poor man who has little of life's material things but much of God's blessing. Every day is a special day and a special opportunity. Sit down and plan how to make the best of it....then work your plan. This will always elevate your good feelings about yourself, about others, and about the gift of this new day!