When Women Pray

We have a tremendous opportunity as the women of College Church of Christ! Beginning the first Sunday in March (March 6), we will have a Women's Prayer Group meeting in the Ocheltree Group Room (700) before church at 8 a.m. All women are invited. Helen Gonzales will lead us in seeking God's face on behalf of ourselves, our families, our church, our city, our state, our nation and the world.

Some of the most powerful prayers in the Bible were prayed by women. For instance, one prayer even has its own name: "The Magnificat". It is the prayer of praise that Mary prayed when she learned that she would be the mother of Jesus. We often sing part of this prayer in church. Perhaps you recognize it:

"My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me--
holy is his name."
Luke 1:46-49 (NIV)

Hannah prayed a similarly powerful prayer when she learned that she would give birth to the mighty prophet, Samuel:

"For the foundations of the earth are the Lord's
upon them he has set the world.
He will guard the feet of his saints,
but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.
It is not by strength that one prevails;
those who oppose the Lord will be shattered.
He will thunder against them from heaven;
the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.
He will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed."
1 Samuel 2:8-10 (NIV)

Miriam, the sister of the great prophet Moses, led the congregation in praise after they crossed the Red Sea safely, but their Egyptian pursuers were drowned in the waves:

"I will sing to the Lord,
for he is highly exalted.
The horse and its rider
he has hurled into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him."
Exodus 15:1,2 (NIV)

In heaven, those men and women who have suffered greatly under the evil world rulers of the End Times, but who have remained faithful to God, even unto death, will repeat the chorus led by Miriam and Moses at the Red Sea:

"And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fie and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:

'Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the ages.
Who will not fear you, O Lord,
and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy
All nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.'"
Revelation 15:2-4 (NIV)

Let's come together as the women of College Church of Christ and make history with our prayers! We can do it! Our sisters Mary and Hannah and Miriam did long ago. We can do so today!

Women's Prayer Group meeting will take place on the first Sunday of each month at 8 am in the Ocheltree Shepherding Group Room (700).

--Posted by Mama O

The Lord's Prayer

My dad, Dr. Bob Morrow, and me, with the shofar, or ram's horn he and my mom got in Israel. The ram's horn is blown to announce the Year of Jubilee: freedom from debt and slavery, restoration of property and reunification of families.

My dad, Dr. Bob Morrow, woke up with this version of "The Lord's Prayer" in his head one morning, shortly before our reconciliation in late January, 2016, during this Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25). I shared the story in my January 28, 2016 blog:

http://newmerciesocheltree.blogspot.com/2016/01/today-this-scripture-is-fulfilled-in.html

 He sang it to Steve and me on the evening of our reunion after nearly 13 years of separation. I am sharing the link. Unfortunately, these links do not work with a click from this blog, so you will need to type these links into your internet browser. Or, copy and paste the links into a text or an email to yourself, then they should function as live links.

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=58F17E83E32202D4!22384&authkey=!AHnwhakw6G3JxQw&ithint=video%2cMOV

--Posted by Mama O

Deceiving the elect(orate)

"to deceive the very elect(orate)--if that were possible." Mark 13:22b (NIV)

I am currently studying the book of Revelation in Bible Study Fellowship. We were asked this question, based on Revelation 13:11-18 and Mark 13:22:
"What was the purpose of the power given to the second beast?"
Here are the Scriptures:
"Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for i is man's number. His number is 666." Revelation 13:11-18 (NIV)
"Jesus said to them, 'Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, I am he,' and will deceive many. You must be on your guard. Because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now--ad never to be equaled again. If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect-if that were possible. So be on your guard. I have told you everything ahead of time.'" Mark 13:7,9,19-23 (NIV)
False christs and false messiahs promise hope and change and freedom and greatness without the power of God to make it real. False prophets and false messiahs can be religious, political, pop culture or media icons.
Friends, we are in the middle of the most divisive and least civilized presidential election I have observed in my (nearly) 56 years as an American citizen. I am issuing a warning, "Be on your guard! Don't be deceived!"
God's love and forgiveness are the only true and lasting agents of transformation and change in society. Beware of political promises. Pull out your Bibles and go to prayer. Ask yourself, "Does this promise accurately reflect God's heart for our society?"
And, I will pose the question, do personal insults and name-calling match our calling as Christians, and do we want to purposely elect leaders who will model and lead with such behavior?
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each others just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)

--Posted by Mama O

"Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Dad (Bob Morrow), Mom (Guylene Morrow) and me (Carolyn Ocheltree)

This is me and my mom, Guylene Morrow. We think we look a lot alike!

My dad, Bob Morrow, and me, with the ram's horn he and my mom brought back from Israel.

"Sound the trumpet throughout your land. Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan. The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you. Then he and his children are to be released, and he will go back to his own clan and to the property of his forefathers." Leviticus 25:9-11,41 (NIV)

"Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and the news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
'The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.'
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them,' Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.'" Luke 4:14-21 (NIV)

Yesterday, my father asked Steve and me to visit him and my mom. Our relationship has been separated since April, 2003, nearly 13 years. Steve and I separated ourselves from my family because we did not want to be part of covering up some very serious family sins. I was blamed for being a troublemaker and a divider of the family. Steve and I made the separation in order to state that we would not continue the cycle of abuse and perpetuate family sins.

On Wednesday, January 27, 2016, my dad, Bob Morrow, called Steve and said he was sorry for the division in the family. For the first time since April of 2003, there was no blame thrown in our direction.. Just a simple apology and an invitation to come visit him and my mom. We went as soon as Steve got off work last night.

This is the 70th Year of Jubilee since the Year of Jubilee was commanded by God, through Moses, in the wilderness. This is the 40th Year of Jubilee since Jesus was on earth. I have been proclaiming freedom wherever I go since the Year of Jubilee started, on the Day of Atonement, in late September of 2015. I have been encouraging people to boldly ask God for restoration of broken family relationships, for forgiveness, healing and redemption. And, as Jesus said, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21)

--Posted by Mama O

No pain, no gain!

This Sunday concludes our 3-part January series on "Spiritual Disciplines". January is typically the month when we commit to self-improvement. We start diets and exercise programs, we launch "Read Through The Bible in One Year" plans, we start organizing our personal areas. So, it seemed like an ideal time to address some of the less popular, but necessary topics in our Christian walk.

In our first discussion we looked at the biblical meaning of "love". We may not think of love as a "discipline", but more as an emotion or feeling. But, the kind of love described in 1 Corinthians 13 must be diligently maintained with discipline. Learning patience and kindness and a lack of egotism are not warm fuzzy feelings. They are hard work.

Why was love the first of the spiritual disciplines? Because love is THAT important. Without love, all other disciplines are useless. Without love, we are like a man who emerges from his house at midnight to bang on pots and pans. Our actions and our noise are misplaced: wrong time, wrong context. Our words hurt instead of help. Our actions are resented rather than appreciated.

Last week we addressed fasting and prayer (I noticed attendance was extremely low that day!). Fasting is a way of investing ourselves, personally, into our prayer lives. When we deprive ourselves of food for a time, we are putting some "skin in the game", making it personal. God is not obligated to do as we ask, even when we fast, but our fasting allows us to see and hear God speak and move in ways that we might otherwise miss.

This week, we will discuss a variety of spiritual disciplines including listening, prayer, humble service, covenantal community and simplicity, among others. We will explore the concept that "less is more". Do we really need all the junk we accumulate through the years, physically or emotionally? A good thorough cleaning might be in order for our personal spaces: our homes, our offices and our emotional life.

Wear your spiritual workout clothes. Be ready to sweat. Remember class, "No pain, no gain!"

See you Sunday morning at the gym, called Room 700.

--Posted by Mama O

Six Things Fasting Does For Our Prayers

"For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you. But this kind (of demon) does not go out except by prayer and fasting." Matthew 17:20,21 (NASV)

Jesus' disciples had been trained in spiritual healing and casting out demons and had been practicing God's medical mercy on many people when they were approached by a man and his son. The son was given to seizures, akin to epilepsy. When the disciples applied their training to the boy, his seizures continued. The disciples consulted with their master as to the reason.

Jesus responded with an encouraging lesson on faith and some further instruction, in advanced spiritual healing techniques. Apparently there are some strongholds of the devil that do not respond to ordinary methods. That's when more serious spiritual weapons are necessary. And fasting, paired with sincere and repentant prayer, is one of those advanced weapons.

What kind of strongholds might need those advanced spiritual weapons?

1. A long-standing grudge
2. An addiction
3. Unbelief
4. Prejudice
5. Childhood hurts
6. Abuse

We will study six things that fasting does for our prayers in Ocheltree Group this week. If you would like to do a little preliminary study, please read these passages, shared in a sermon by Dr. Adrian Rogers:

1. Fasting strengthens our prayers: Joel 2:12; Jer. 29:13
2. Fasting subdues self: Ezek. 16:49
3. Fasting stays the judgment of God: Jonah 3:5,10; Jer. 18:7,8
4. Fasting stops God's enemies: 2 Chron. 20:3,4,24,29
5. Fasting seeks God's guidance: Acts 13:2
6. Fasting shatters strongholds like bitterness, resentment, fear and bad habits: Isaiah 58:6

--Posted by Mama O.

The Greatest Of These Is Love

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV)

January is the month when we are most likely to get our lives back in order. We

1. Start reading the Bible all the way through
2.Join a gym
3. Start a diet
4. Reorganize our personal space
5. De-clutter
6. Quit smoking
7. Start reading Moby Dick
8. Vow to cut back on social media or television viewing

...And the list goes on....

I, personally, am an enthusiastic advocate of New Year's resolutions. As the old adage goes:

"Failing to plan is planning to fail."

I believe life has natural rhythms and the New Year is one of those annually occurring opportunities to get a fresh start.

In the spirit of fresh starts, I will be teaching a three-part series on "Spiritual Disciplines" in the Ocheltree Shepherding Group during January. We will address some serious disciplines, the kind we would expect from full-time monks or nuns or Jason Locke: prayer and fasting, obedience, service, community, active listening, hope, simplicity, stability, balance and hospitality.

But, without a solid and stable foundation of love, these disciplines will function more like weapons that hurt people than like tools that help them. That's pretty serious.

We will discuss the biblical definition of love and the opposite of love. (Hint: read 1 Corinthians 13; 1 John 3:17,18; 1 John 4:18 and 2 Timothy 1:7).

I look forward to a spiritually healthy 2016, built on the solid foundation of LOVE!

--Posted by Mama O.

Oaks of Righteousness

Oak of Righteousness

"So they will be called oaks of righteousness,

The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."

Isaiah 61:3 (NASB)

The Ocheltree Shepherding Group has adopted a symbol: the Oak of Righteousness.

Oak of Righteousness. What makes an oak tree righteous? Many characteristics, I'm sure. But we will limit our discussion to four.

1. Oaks are highly adaptable. They can survive in many types of soil. They can live through times of plenty and times of drought. When water is scarce due to drought, oak trees find underground water sources through their extensive system of taproots.

Psalm 1:1-3 compares the righteous to a tree:

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season 

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers."

Righteous people drink deeply from the "Living Water" of God's Word and intimate fellowship with God. (John 4:13,14) When difficulties arise, whether they involve natural disaster, man-made disaster, interpersonal conflict or personal struggles, righteous people are able to keep going with the deep resources of God's Word and God's presence.

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Mark 13:31 (NIV)

2. Oaks reproduce themselves. Those tiny acorns that fall from the mighty oak tree can be carried by wildlife, water or wind to new areas, where more oak trees will spring up. Jesus calls on His followers to "go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." (Mark 16:15 NIV)

Before that seed can reproduce a mighty oak tree, it must fall into the ground and die. In the same way, we must die to our own selfish desires and personal agendas, if we are truly to carry God's good news into the world:

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." John 12:24 (NIV)

3. Oaks give shelter and protection to many:

"The righteous care about justice for the poor,

but the wicked have no such concern." Proverbs 29:7 (NIV)

"When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,

but the righteous stand firm forever."

Proverbs 10:25 (NIV)

"The way of the Lord is a refuge for the righteous,

but it is the ruin of those who do evil."

Proverbs 10:29 (NIV)

"The righteous will never be uprooted,

but the wicked will not remain in the land."

Proverbs 10:30 (NIV)

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe."

Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)

4. Oak trees have longevity and stability. They remain, year after year, giving shade and character to a hillside. They protect the soil from erosion by standing firm. Storms, drought and intense heat do not destroy the mighty tree. It continues to do its job.

Faith in God enables us to stand firm, year after year, continuing to do the job God gives us, regardless of circumstances. We may see part of God's plan fulfilled during our lifetime, but we may have to accept, by faith, that God's plan will prevail, while we "stand our ground" in faith, just as the saints in the Bible did!

"He who stands firm to the end will be saved." Mark 13:13 (NIV)

"The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations."
Psalm 34:10,11 (NIV)

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. people who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:1,2,13-16 (NIV)

--Posted by Mama O

  

A Church That Makes A Difference

Aaron Scott and Jason Locke discuss "a church that makes a difference"

Ashley Henderson and Andrew Ocheltree were two of the church family members, scattered throughout the darkened auditorium, holding candles to light the way for everyone

Just one candle gives light to a whole room

With more and more Christians leaving the church, yet not leaving God, what are they saying about the church?
1. "God is missing from the church."
2. "Christians have missed the point."
Jason Locke and Aaron Scott discussed the changing role of the church in society this morning, Aaron's last official Sunday on staff at College Church of Christ. Jason shared these common thoughts from disenchanted Christians and asked Aaron what he thought.
"We've lost the ability to see God at work in the everyday things of life," Aaron said. We tend to equate God's working in our lives with "getting our own way" (i.e. a short line at Starbuck's on a busy day). We must learn to discern bewteen God's working within a body of Christians and the fulfillment of self-centered desires.
Jason and Aaron agreed "it's been a tough year" for our church family at College Church of Christ. We have said "good-bye" to two full-time ministers, we have said "farewell" to a number of long-time members because of death, several families and individuals have left our church family to worship elsewhere.
In the midst of the difficulty, though, Jason said he has seen people "fight and struggle to understand one another, to ask questions. I believe God is most at work when we struggle," Jason observed. "God is glorified in the midst of our struggles to understand one another."
In the midst of all these losses: "Is our church a dying church?" Jason asked Aaron.
Aaron pointed out that well over 20% of our church is in the Children's Ministry, and there is a committed core in high school and college ministries. "That is significant," he pointed out.
Jason addressed some of the complaints most commonly heard at our church:
1. The elders don't take charge. They move too slowly.
"How would you respond to that, Aaron?" Jason asked.
Aaron said he has been involved in a number of churches during his lifetime and our elders are different than the elders at many other churches he has observed Our elders care far more about shepherding individual people than they do about functioning as an official "Board of Directors". Our elders are more concerned about guiding our diverse congregation to develop a mature faith than they are about spelling out a certain "Code of Conduct" for the congregation. For that reason, our church can appear less organized than a church where the congregation is told what to do and how to do it.
"Our elders have taken a step back and let us own our own faith rather than controlling us," Aaron observed. "It takes faith in God to do that."
2. College Church of Christ accused of being irrelevant. Our property is not maintained in the style of large, contemporary churches, our worship is not seen as being as up-to-date as some more fashionable churches.
"How do you see that in youth ministry, Aaron?" Jason asked.
At College Church, Aaron pointed out, it is much harder to remain anonymous, or get lost in the crowd, the way you can at so many larger, more fashionable churches. At College Church, our young people are allowed and encouraged to get to know adults of all ages, to see Larry Wiseman bopping little kids on the head with bulletins, to listen to Tom Howe give everyone a hard time, to be in a church family where we have women with nicknames like "Mama O" and where you get a hug every Sunday from Pat McKinzie (and if you pass her by, she will hunt you down and hug you!)
Aaron observed that young people at College Church learn from the adults, who share their lives and their stories. We are broken people who are growing in Christ. We know God loves us just the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way! So we help each other grow.
Jason and Aaron drew from the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk, who gives God's answer to the complaints of His people.
God assures His weary people that the answers to their questions and complaints will come, if they will wait:
"For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come and will not delay."
Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)
For those looking for the right thing to do at the right time, God assures His people, He will lead them. The people's job: have faith in God!
"The righteous will live by his faith"
Habakkuk 2:4 (NIV)
At this point, the conversation between Jason and Aaron concluded with a darkened auditorium in which several lighted candles were passed from one church family member to another, scattered throughout the dark room. Each candle gave off enough glow for those around it to see by its illumination.
And so, with our walk of faith as a church family, we must continue to walk by faith in God's love for this diverse group of people. We can help light the way for one another and for others who are seeking a safe place to be loved and restored to God's purpose for their lives!

--Posted by Mama O.

A-Dorla-ble!

I was paying bills on Saturday, the usual post-Christmas batch: mortgage, Macy's, Kohl's, Union 76...
but the most important debt I paid was a spaghetti dinner that my son, Andrew, and I made to take over to Bob Cross and his extended family.

The Apostle Paul admonishes us, in Romans 13:8 to "let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." (New International Version)

It was our privilege to take dinner to the Cross family on the day of Dorla Cross's passing from this life into eternal life. Family was gathering at Bob and Dorla's house late in the day to prepare for her funeral and burial. Steve and I pulled our wagon full of spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and lemon cake over to their house (we live close-by) and were greeted by family members who thought we were members of another religion, coming to their house to convert them with our wagon full of literature!

After we all had a good laugh at our mistaken identity, we sat with the grieving family, remembering the wonderful life that Dorla lived.

Bob and Dorla opened their home to so many college students in their days of hosting church events that, daughter Cindy estimated, there were more than 100 house keys floating around in student's pockets, purses and backpacks.

"If anyone had broken into my parents' house and the police had asked who had access to the house, the list would have included more than 100 people!" she laughed.

That's how Bob and Dorla lived life. They lived to serve others, to be generous and to give many, many others an example to follow.

Although we did not have the privilege of knowing Bob and Dorla in their "Big Hospitality" days, we have received countless hugs, back pats and words of encouragement from them in the 10 years we have been part of the College Church of Christ family.  We owe them a debt of love that we can only attempt to repay by continuing to build on the foundation they helped to lay, a foundation for a church that is hospitable, loving, accepting, forgiving, generous and encouraging. May we keep working, in the spirit of Dorla Cross, to pay the debt of love we owe!

--Posted by Mama O.

"Say Goodnight Gracie"

The old line from George Burns' comedy show--"Say goodnight Gracie!" It comes in handy when we have to say "Goodnight" for now to someone as wonderful as Gracie Sanchez. We can do it with the sense of humor she so readily displayed and with the light-hearted fun she brought to life.

I looked up the Webster's Dictionary definition of "grace". There are a number of definitions, of course, because the word encompasses a lot of meaning. But here is just a bit:

"the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful--Synonyms see mercy"

That certainly defines the Gracie I knew and loved these last seven years that she attended College Church of Christ and became "mi hermana en Jesus Christo"--my sister in Jesus Christ!

I first got acquainted with Gracie on a missions trip to Mexico. She was our translator as we taught Children's Bible School and worked at the local church. It is Gracie's smile that I can't get out of my head. It was a smile that understood the situation, overlooked the difficulties, saw the potential for good and brought everyone else along for the exciting ride of faith! Gracie's smile wasn't just happy, although it was that. It was faith-filled and hope-spreading.

I only knew Gracie after her eyesight was severely limited. She was legally blind. But she didn't express her visual impairment as a liability so much as simply a fact, something to be reckoned with like today's weather. She was here, in the moment, ready to work, ready to love, and always ready to teach! Gracie was a very, very intelligent woman. I knew this from listening to her explain things to me, like the Spanish language, God's mysterious ways, heaven, her love for God's people. She had a way of making complex issues seem simple to understand.

I'm a bit of a nerd, myself, I am happiest when I am learning something new. My car radio is most often tuned to sermons on Christian radio or news on National Public Radio. So, to find a friend like Gracie, who was willing to teach me new things, was a tremendous find! I am forever grateful for the time I spent with Gracie and it is with a sense of love, friendship and fun, like two girlfriends at a pajama party, that I say, "Goodnight Gracie, I'll see you in the morning of heaven's glorious sunrise! And we'll keep right on learning things together throughout eternity!"

--Posted by Mama O.

Apathy's Antidote

What sin comes to mind when you think of the ancient city of Sodom?

Chances are, your first response is the sin of "sodomy", usually associated with homosexuality.

However, the root sin of Sodom, according to the Old Testament prophet, Ezekiel, was apathy--or a lack of concern for the poor.

"Sodom's sins were pride, gluttony and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door. She was proud and committed detestable sins, so I wiped her out, as you have seen." Ezekiel 16:49,50 (New Living Translation)

Our preacher, Dr. Jason Locke, shared this passage with us yesterday, as he talked to us about our attitudes toward gay and lesbian people. How would God have us treat those who are in same-sex relationships?

While the good Dr. Locke did not give us a definitive answer for our church family, he did encourage us to remain open to showing love and friendship to those in homosexual relationships, or those who are struggling with their sexual identity.

And he certainly advised us to avoid the sin of apathy, of having all that we need to live comfortably, yet ignoring the needy and helpless around us.

We have a wonderful opportunity, in less than two weeks, to take a huge antidote to apathy in Fresno. The Ocheltree Shepherding Group is hosting a 24-hour Urban Plunge at The Fresno Rescue Mission on Friday, Oct. 10 through Saturday, Oct. 11. We will stay overnight in a dormitory especially for guests and we will learn what goes on in downtown Fresno, where all the drug addicts and drunks and prostitutes and homeless hang out. Cost is $15 per person. That includes 4 meals. All ages are welcome, as well as neighbors, friends and co-workers. There are 90 beds available for us.

Please text or email Carolyn Ocheltree before Monday, Oct. 6, if you would like to join the Urban Plunge. Cell phone: 559-250-6465. Email: carolynocheltree@gmail.com

We will be changed after this weekend. That's a guarantee. It's a wonderful way to take an antidote for apathy in our city!

--Posted by Mama O.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

RECOMMENDED READING:

UNBROKEN BY LAURA HILLENBRAND

I just finished reading, quite possibly, the best biography I have ever encountered. It is the true story of Californian Louis Zamperini, who was a champion in the 1936 Berlin Olympics one-mile run. He went on to join the United States Army Air Corps in World War II as a bombardier. His plane went down over the Pacific and he survived 47 days afloat a life raft before being taken prisoner by the Japanese. He spent years being tortured as a Japanese Prisoner of War before Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces in 1945.

The story is extremely timely, as Louis suffered from what we now call Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After his release from prisoner-of-war camps, he suffered terrible nightmares and daytime flashbacks. He turned to alcohol for relief from the pain, but the alcohol began to destroy the relationships that meant the most to Louie.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusade in Los Angeles in the late 1940s was a turning point in the rich, full life of this incredible man, who went on to establish an outdoor camp for troubled youth in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California.

Although I read the book on my Kindle, I ordered a hardcover copy of this book, as well as Seabiscuit, by the same author, to keep on my shelf at home so it is available to all who enter my home. It is that good!

And, for those who want to watch the story on the big screen, stay tuned...it opens on Christmas Day, 2014, in movie theaters! It is directed by Angelina Jolie and the screenplay is written, in part, by two of my favorite writers, Joel and Ethan Coen. 

Anyone up for sharing a bucket of buttered popcorn on Christmas Day, join my family at the movies! We'll be there!

--Posted by Mama O. 

Where Are The Answers: Dealing With Impossible Questions

We all have impossible questions that face us in our lives. Some of them come about when people we love do things that are wrong. Some of them come about when illness, accidents, or other unexpected crises arise. Some of them come about because of job loss or relationships that end unhappily. We have questions that cannot be answered in black-and-white terms with "yes or no" answers. We feel uncertain, confused, scared and maybe angry. How do we deal with these impossible questions? Where do we find the answers?

Truth is, some of those questions will never get complete answers until we reach heaven and "know fully" (1 Cor. 13:12). We may receive partial answers, over a period of time, from many sources. Like a puzzle that we keep adding pieces to, the answer may begin to hint at full formation, but still be missing some essential parts.

How do we deal with uncertainty and pain and panic in the meantime, while those puzzle pieces are being assembled?

A simple acrostic, spelling out the word FAITH, may help with impossible questions:

Follow Certain Truths Rather Than Uncertain Conjectures

It is easy, during a crisis, to "run away" with opinions and Facebook and Twitter posts. Fear takes over and leads the charge. But "perfect love casts out all fear" (1 John 4:18) Go with what you know to be right (1 Cor. 13:13). Practice faith ((Prov. 3:5,6; Heb. 11:1,6); hope (Rom. 5:5) and love (1 John 4:20,21).

Ask open-ended questions of God

Too often our prayers are nothing more than thinly disguised requests for God to "rubber stamp" our own agenda. Learn a lesson from good King Hezekiah of Judah, who was faced with a terrible threat from Sennacherib, king of Assyria. Rather than having his military leaders draw up a defensive plan and put it before God for His "divine rubber stamp of approval", Hezekiah took the threatening letter into God's presence and spread it out before Him, asking God what His plan was! The answer God gave was quite unexpected and brought overwhelming victory to the Jewish people. Read the story in 2 Kings 19. Meditate on Hezekiah's response to threatening news in 2 Kings 19:14.

Instruction from wise counselors is needed

Even those with a great deal of knowledge and skill still need to consult wise counselors. When the Apostle Paul was a new convert, he had a great deal of knowledge, zeal and persuasive power. He was so persuasive in his arguments with the Greek Jews about Jesus' true identity as the Messiah that they put out a contract on Paul's life! Wise counselors prevailed. It was not young Paul's time to die! The apostles in charge of the Jerusalem church had Paul board a ship for his hometown of Tarsus where he had time to mature in his faith and get away from the death threats. Read the whole story in Acts 9. 

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, had much to say about seeking good, solid, wise counsel. Read a sampling of his advice in Prov. 12:15, Prov. 13:10 and Prov. 19:20.

Truth comes from knowing God's character, not having all the answers

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And my thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8,9 (New American Standard Version)

"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going, so is every one who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8 (New American Standard Version)

God can take unexpected turns. Those who are open to listening to God and understand His character of love will be able to change their course when God is the One leading.

Read about the Apostle Peter and his 180-degree turn on the issues of Gentiles becoming part of God's family and of unclean meat being acceptable to eat. The story is found in Acts 10. Peter would not have been able to make these complete turnarounds in his practices if he did not understand God's character of love for all mankind and the sacrifice of Jesus, God's only Son, to forgive all people of their sins.

Have joy in the process!

Nothing can weigh a person down more quickly than unresolved emotional issues. The "what if's" and "if only's" and "it's not fair" questions will keep people awake at night and give them headaches during the day. We simply will never have all the answers. Life cannot be erased and lived over again. We must live with the consequences of our choices and the consequences of other people's choices that affect us. And we must live in a fallen world where young, healthy people die of disease or are killed in accidents. There are no easy answers to the questions that arise from difficult circumstances.

Does God want me to be happy? If He does, then why did my child die...my wife leave me...my job disappear in a downsizing...my brother get addicted to drugs.... 

It is a fact that the circumstances of our lives will not always be happy. We will make some of our own misery, other people will create chaos around us, and natural disasters and disease will take their toll. We won't always be fully compensated financially in a class action lawsuit or vindicated in front of those who judged us. We will have to find our way to "go on" anyway. 

God has provided a beautiful way to "keep going": in the full, unbridled joy of His presence, which promises that all will be made right "someday". In the meantime, rest in the joy of God's friendship and presence:

"I have set the Lord continually before me;

Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;

My flesh also will dwell securely.

Thou wilt make known to me the path of life;

In Thy presence is fulness of joy;

In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever."

Psalm 16:8,9,11 (New American Standard Version)

I Am The Most Blessed Person In The World: An Interview with Ruth Geary

The fourth friend whose story I'd like to share with you is Ruth Geary. Ruth is the senior member of our group of story-tellers from College Church of Christ's Ladies' Night on Sept. 5. Ruth and Frank Geary have been married for 60 years on Dec. 23, 2014, and Ruth turns 80 on Dec. 4, 2014.

I AM THE MOST BLESSED PERSON IN THE WORLD:

 AN INTERVIEW WITH RUTH GEARY

Smart and talented and pretty, Ruth Geary had more than one proposal of marriage in her day. But she chose Frank Geary, with his steady, loving nature and his commitment to God, and she hasn't looked back since.

They have enjoyed years of serving God and other people. From the time they met and married (Frank was stationed at Fort Benning, GA, and had been invited over to Ruth's sister's house for Sunday lunch after church--Ruth was there visiting her sister), they have been contributing to the life and health of the local church.

Frank's military service took them to North Carolina where they helped establish a church. They moved back to California after Frank's military service was complete, where Frank finished his education to become a teacher. While Ruth had received excellent education all along the way, Frank's education in the San Joaquin Valley had been inadequate. He wanted to work within the system to make it better!

Ruth and Frank worked tirelessly for the first 20 years of their marriage, raising Denise and Philip, Ruth volunteering at school and at church (she typed all of John Banks' sermons at College Church of Christ) and Frank served as Boy Scout Master in Parlier, taking Phil along on the long Scouting hikes. Ruth and Frank were present when College Church of Christ opened its doors in 1964.

Once Ruth's children were raised, she returned to the workforce. At first, as a typist for a Fresno State College professor, but later, she became his illustrator, when he discovered her artistic talents. Three veterinary science textbooks, still in use today at California State University, Fresno, are illustrated by Ruth Geary.

Ruth's organizational abilities soon got her "discovered" in the local business world, where she founded a branch for an insurance agency and hired many of the young women of College Church of Christ at the time, including Cindy McGrady, Olivia Gale and Jennifer Martin. Ruth illustrated training manuals for the insurance agency, as well.

Retirement brought 20 more years of happy service for Frank and Ruth, as they bought an RV and traveled all over the place with their grandsons' soccer matches. Members of the soccer team would come to the Geary's RV to play cards and rest awhile between matches.

Aging also brought a number of health problems for Frank and Ruth. Frank has had 24 surgeries, including open heart surgery, prostate cancer surgery, kidney stone retrievals, kidney surgery, three hip replacements, two broken legs. skin grafts...But he has kept going. Only in the last five years has it slowed him down. This past February (2014), "we thought Frank was dying," Ruth said. "The doctor told us, 'Just try to make him comfortable.'"

"Then a young gastroenterologist suggested we test him for Celiac's disease. We did and he has made a 180-degree turnaround in his health," Ruth related.

Ruth, herself, went for her routine check-up in March (2014) and the lab results showed a mass in her right breast. A biopsy revealed breast cancer and Ruth had a partial mastectomy on May 15, 2014. Because her arm was elevated for so long during the surgery, she developed tendinitis, which may need surgical help, also. She has had to deal with radiation burns on her chest, but she said, "God needed me to slow down."

As Ruth sits, like a queen, at the top of 80 years of life and 60 years of marriage. She calls herself "the most blessed person in the world". She and Frank have two children, six grandsons, and five great-grandchildren. All of them are Christians. Those who are married are married to Christians.

"I have a family filled with Christians who will be living forever. That is the best legacy to have," she said.

When Ruth and Frank face difficulties, Ruth is comforted by the worship song, taken from Psalm 42:7, titled "Deep Calls to Deep".

"It reminds me that when I am in the depths of my troubles, God calls to me from the depths of His heart!" Ruth said.

--Posted by Mama O

God is Protecting Me: An Interview with Arrolene Burrell

Today, I introduce you to the third of my four friends who shared their stories at College Church of Christ Ladies' Night on Sept. 5. Arrolene has the gift of making us all laugh as she shares her story.

"God Is Protecting Me": An Interview with Arrolene Burrell

Arrolene and Robert (Bobby) Burrell were married for 41 years. Bobby had been retired for 8 years, Arrolene for 7 years, when Bobby passed away in September, 2012.

Bobby had been diagnosed with cancer when he was 25 years old, so Arrolene felt truly blessed to enjoy his company for so many fine years!

They had one daughter, Aris. Aris was 3 years old when Bobby was first diagnosed with cancer. Arrolene remembers praying to God that she did not feel ready to be left alone to raise this 3-year-old daughter. Bobby lived until Aris was 33 and had two children of her own! Aris is now expecting her third baby.

After 41 years in a happy marriage (both of them were lucky enough to be on the same sleep schedule--night owls who liked to sleep in during the morning hours!), you miss a lot of things about a person.

Bobby always took care of car repairs and filling up Arrolene's car with gasoline. After he retired, he became quite the gourmet chef, preparing meals that were both delicious and lovely to look at! It eventually got to the point, when Arrolene entertained women from one of her organizations, they would just call up the stairs, "Thank you Bobby!" Everyone knew it was he, not Arrolene, who had prepared the meal!

When Bobby was in UCLA's Medical Center, Arrolene began to realize that she was going to have to find a more economical way to travel back and forth from her hotel than using the taxi. So, by herself, without the help of a girlfriend or anyone except God, she taught herself how to use the Los Angeles Metro blue bus system. 

"One day I got on and paid my 50 cents fare for passengers who are 55 and older and the bus driver looked at me and pointed to the sign that said, "55 and older" with a suspicious look. He didn't come back and talk to me or anything, but when I got off the bus, I showed him my driver's license to show I was an honest woman, and a few years past 55!"

Arrolene was able to stay at a place called The Fisher House, which is provided for United States veterans and their families. This also saved expenses.

Bobby had the "gift of knowing that it was his last night on this earth," Arrolene recalled. "He knew the machine had been turned off and by this time tomorrow, he would be with his Heavenly Father. Very few people have that gift. On that night, those two grandchildren were on the bed with him talking and hugging. The children were on their best behavior. It was like a picture book! At Bobby's funeral, his 4-year-old grandson, Jaden, was a pallbearer alongside his daddy, David Shabaglian. Little Jaden was so poised and mature that day!"

Arrolene had been afraid of funerals ever since her father died when she was a little girl. She stood in the bathroom on the day of Bobby's funeral, thinking, "I can't go." But she knew she had to because this was her husband.

"I felt so much better after I went. Here, all these people came out on a Monday afternoon to say all these wonderful things about my husband. Even though I was married to him, I didn't know all of the wonderful stories people told! And this wasn't even our home town, like Memphis, Tennessee, or Mt. Vernon, New York. We are transplants to California!"

Arrolene said all her family was amazed at the wonderful job Pat McKenzie and her crew did of organizing the meal after Bobby's funeral service. "I was going to have it catered so I could be sure it was high quality," she said, "but Pat McKenzie assured me that she and her crew would take care of things! All the relatives from the South and the East and everywhere else commented on the food and fellowship and how good it was. That was the hit! I really want to thank Pat McKenzie for that!"

Since Bobby's funeral, Arrolene has been more "at peace"with attending funerals and has done so for several of her friends.

There is no question, the dark night hours are the hardest for Arrolene, now that Bobby is gone.

"I am so thankful to God for protecting me. It is God who is protecting me, not my husband. I have this picture framed in my head that God has His arms wrapped around me. So I don't have to be afraid of being in the house by myself."

--Posted by Mama O.

Don't give up!--an interview with Jennifer Bryan

Jennifer Bryan is the second of my four friends who shared their stories at College Church of Christ's Ladies' Night on Sept. 5.  Warning: Jennifer's story will give you an irresistible urge to persevere through life's tough times!

"DON'T GIVE UP!'--AN INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER BRYAN

In December of 2009, Jennifer Bryan had taken a leave of absence from her job as a trauma nurse at Community Regional Medical Center. She was 48 years old at the time, her daughter, Wendy, was soon to be married. Jennifer was scheduled for neck surgery that month, to remove a benign tumor. Jennifer was at risk for having a stroke because she had undergone surgery five times before. This tumor has recurred multiple times.

Two days after the surgery, Jennifer was sleeping when she had a nightmare. She awoke to a different world. She had a stroke. The entire left side of her body had no feeling and no control. She was confined to a wheelchair. In fact, she had to be strapped in so she would not fall out!

Her doctor gave a dark forecast: she would never walk again! But Jennifer did not believe it. She wanted to say, "STOP! My God is not in a box!" Despite statistics and timelines that would tell her differently, Jennifer knew she would walk again.

With the help of an excellent physical therapist, who truly thought "outside the box" Jennifer began to regain more and more mobility. She used something called a "Light Gait", which was like a treadmill with a harness.

"I had a real fear of falling because I could not feel the left side of my body. It is still kind of numb, to this day," Jennifer said. 

Jennifer also dealt with emotional side effects of a brain injury (stroke). She developed Pseudo Bulbar Affect, or PBA for short, which causes emotional imbalances in people with head injuries. It would cause her to laugh or cry at inappropriate times, making it awkward to go out in public.

"I didn't want to go anywhere because my emotions were not under control," Jennifer remembered.

In working with various natural remedies, the emotional side effects have become more manageable, with time.

There were spiritual side effects to the stroke, as well. Jennifer struggled with feeling hurt by God. Why would He allow this? Did He love Jennifer? But God took Jennifer's hand and pulled her up, helping her to see that she needed to keep going for her husband, Pat, and for her grandchildren (she now has 5!)

Re-learning walking as an adult was "a real trip", Jennifer said. "Hip/Knee/Hip/Knee".

"Most people learn that stuff when they are about a year old and a lot closer to the floor!" she laughed.

At times, she had a person on each leg, helping her re-learn to walk, down the corridor.

Jennifer knows that her career in nursing is too physically demanding, but she is planning to enroll in classes this spring to become a counselor, helping others to overcome the obstacles in their own lives.

Her advice as a therapist-to-be?

"Don't give up! When it seems hopeless, a blessing might be just around the corner!"

--Posted by Mama O.

With love, anything is possible: an interview with Rachel Ammons

 I would like to introduce you to four of my very precious friends from College Church of Christ. These four beautiful ladies agreed to share their testimonies, in an interview format, at our annual Ladies' Night on Sept. 5, 2014. Each lady represents an different segment of womanhood and motherhood, and I believe you will be truly encouraged by each story. Today, I will start with the story shared by Rachel Ammons:

RACHEL AMMONS

Rachel Ammons is a mother of two young children, her daughter, Riley, is 2, and her son, Sage, is 3 1/2 months old. Rachel is married to Kris. 

Rachel was born in South Korea in 1978, where she was left as an orphan as a tiny baby. Through God's grace, Rachel was adopted by her parents, Ron and Carol Chitwood, who were stationed in Japan with the Air Force at the time. Her parents especially requested a little girl because they knew the fate of girl orphans. They were left to make their living on the street, as prostitutes, while the boy orphans were abuducted into the military when they were "of age". Rachel has since discovered, through research, that she was adopted through an organization headed by a godly man named Dr. Kim who prayed over each and every baby who was adopted (around 45,000 of them!)

Rachel grew up in Kansas with parents who loved her and taught her to love God. She played all kinds of sports, and became good enough at soccer to win a college scholarship. Although Rachel's mom was more of a homemaker and Rachel was more of a tom boy growing up, they became very close as adults. Rachel and her mom talked on the phone pretty much every day, just to catch each other up on their lives.

Rachel's mom, Carol, loved children and looked forward to being a wonderful grandma! She taught cradle roll in their local church and would be a "local grandma" to the families stationed in the military in their church.

When Rachel and Kris moved to Clovis and were expecting a baby, it seemed like the perfect time for Rachel's mom to move to California and be near her grandbaby-to-be! But, her mom had been taken very ill by this time and was not able to travel. Rachel's mom was a hard-worker and the forced-rest from her illness was very difficult for her, but she was in a great deal of pain.

Carol Chitwood was blessed to meet her granddaughter, Riley, once, before Carol passed away, when Riley was six months old. 

It has left Rachel and Kris with many happy memories of Carol, with her wonderful hospitality and hard work on behalf of others. While Rachel misses her mother every day, she is grateful that her mother is not in pain anymore, and that she is using her gifts to serve Jesus and the other saints in heaven!

When Rachel was asked what the best gift her mother gave her was, she thought about it, because her mother was such an intensely loving and giving woman. She remembered a time, years ago, when her mother hosted a baby shower for an unwed mother in her church. It was considered kind of scandalous at the time and many of the parishioners did not attend the shower. But, Carol Chitwood insisted on showing the love of God, even to people who don't get everything right in this life.

"My mother believed," Rachel said, "that, with love, anything is possible!"

Posted by Mama O.

Walk with me...

Carolyn Ocheltree and Laura Marziale, celebrating successful completion of all four quarters at Rescue The Children!

My flowers from Dia Martinez

Our gift from Mentor Appreciation Night, made by the mentor and disciple who shared their story

Walk with me, friends--

One of the greatest joys I have experienced these past two years has been walking alongside women who are recovering from addiction and its effects in their lives. Yesterday, my friend, Laura Marziale, finished her fourth quarter at Rescue The Children. She now has a job, working in information technology. Laura and I have spent a great deal of time together over these last months, she has been a student in various classes I have taught, and we have made and sold jam and salsa together.

Dia Martinez and I have walked together for two years now. Dia started the Rescue The Children "Life Transforming Community" in July of 2012. She met me as one of her teachers in a class called "Standards of Cleanliness" that I co-taught with Pam Vogel, a Registered Nurse Practitioner. She asked if I would be a "mentor" for her. I was scared to death to be a mentor when she asked. I had been given a handbook for mentors by the RTC staff. I read it and re-read it, trying to memorize all the things I needed to do to be a good mentor. I interviewed friends who had worked in prison ministries, so I glean from their experiences.

Then, Dia and I began meeting once a week.  And it was as natural as--making a new friend! Mostly we attended Wednesday night church dinner and church service together. She got acquainted with a variety of our church family and received a great deal of encouragement from them. She encouraged them, as well.

Last Friday night, June 27, we had a Mentor Appreciation Night. Dia bought me a lovely bouquet of flowers. Another mentor and disciple shared their story--of spending time together, taking walks on the lovely walking trail behind Rescue The Children, so both of them could pay attention to their health, playing board games with the mentor's whole family, being together.

Yesterday, on Wednesday, July 2, Rescue The Children hosted a promotion ceremony. Each of the disciples moved to the next quarter in the four-quarter system, and received a lovely gift. This mentor and her disciple were there. Laura Marziale was glowing as she accepted her gift for finishing all four quarters successfully.

I have to be honest. Being a mentor can be awkward at first. Like going on a first date. You have to get to know each other. And not all stories have great endings. Some disciples leave and return to their old ways. Others lose their footing temporarily and have to start their entire rehabilitation process over, from the beginning. But, every one of these women needs encouragement and love. And, even those women who return to their old lifestyles may choose to return to rehabilitation sooner if they have someone loving them, encouraging them and praying for them and with them.

Walk with me, my friends. Pray about becoming a mentor for one of these women. Rescue The Children truly is a "Life Transforming Community". It will transform your life, as well. I guarantee it.

--Posted by Mama O.

Dr. Allen Rice 1922-2014

Thank you, to all my church family, who shared stories and music and prayers to honor the life of Dr. Allen Rice on Sunday, June 29. What a dynamo for good this man was! Although I only became acquainted with him in his later years, I always knew him as energetic, persuasive, creative, intelligent and full of love for others.

My eyes were opened to other great aspects of his life when his friends and colleagues shared stories. Harlow Dawson shared, through tears in his eyes, about Dr. Rice's sacrificial leadership of Mountain View Christian School. Dr. Rice always made sure that the teachers on staff were being paid at the top of the standards for the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), while his own salary, as the school's administrator, was at the bottom of ACSI standards for administrators. Many agree that Dr. Rice's leadership turned around the school's failing finances, giving it years more life in the community.

Lalaine Garoutte shared that Dr. Rice always had a special place in his heart for single mothers and their financial struggles. He paid for many children to go to camp.

Lisa Hansen followed Lalaine's sharing, as she said, with tears in her eyes, "I was one of those single mothers!" Both Lalaine and Lisa worked for Dr. Rice at Mountain View.

Lalaine recalled Dr. Rice's ability to defuse even the most tense meeting with angry parents. She described his office, where his desk was pushed up against the wall, so he hosted people in his office with a chair that was not blocked by any other object.

"There must have been something to that chair," Lalaine laughed, because, she said, even the angriest of parents would emerge from meetings with Dr. Rice with smiles on their faces.

Dr. Rice had a gift for praying for others. Jason Locke recalled that Dr. Rice's gifts did not lie in sharing short, concise speeches (he had a penchant for wordiness), but there was something about his prayers that just melted away anger and brought love and life into the lives of those he was praying for.

His son, David Rice, shared that his father, ever the good administrator, kept an orderly and organized home that leaves his children with a gracious gift: an orderly estate.

Doug Baker recalled Dr. Rice's attention to detail, keeping accurate inventory of school supplies, down to the last pat of butter in the kitchen. Doug made the confession that he and Brady Smith (the youth minister at the time) used to take popsicles from the school's kitchen freezer, just to mess with Dr. Rice's precise food inventory. Harlow Dawson admonished Doug that it is never too late to write a check to cover those missing popsicles!

Dr. Rice gifted me with his entire book series of "Through The Bible" with Dr. J. Vernon McGee. I use the series often in preparing Bible lessons and I think fondly and thankfully of my friend, Al Rice, who undoubtedly already has an accurate inventory of the popsicles in heaven's freezer!

We will miss you, friend! We will join you again one day!

--Posted by Mama O.