Be Joyful and Know Why You Are...

Christ is for ALL people. So is Christmas! May the love of Christ find you all well and happy this Christmas.

Phillip Yancey said, "Faith means trusting in advance what will only make sense in reverse." So many things in this life make no sense to us. God is at work and instead of needing to know all the details of the plan, the pieces of the puzzle, we just need to trust Him today. Grab hold of what we know today, follow Christ, and trust God as he puts all the pieces together.

Remember those who came before you!
When you're driving down a country road and you see a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a post turtle. You know he didn't get up there by himself. He doesn't belong there; he can't get anything done while he's up there; and you just want to help the poor, dumb thing down.
Be humble and remember who put you on the “fence post.”If you are successful, it is because somewhere, sometimes, someone gave you a life or an idea that started you off in the right direction.

Merry Christmas & a Christ Led new year!

In HIS Service,

Roger

PRAYER BREAKFAST FUN

The Monday Morning prayer breakfast meets weekly at 8:00 a.m. Presently we meet at Jay-Rays in New Palestine. We visit, we eat, we socialize, and we pray...alot. Then sometimes we get into some other caring activities. Last month, MaryJo Shaw brought supplies to fill disaster aid kits so we all pitched to help...again.

Pam Komendo

Two weeks ago now, Nancy McCarty, Jay Komendo and I patiently waited while doctors lasered off some scar tissue on Pam's heart from an earlier surgery. They thought it was restricting blood flow leaving Pam with much less energy than she should have. The surgery went well and Pam came home from the hospital a couple days later. Last week, she came down with a "cold and cough." She apparently coughed hard enough to tear out some stitching leaving her to bleed into her leg. Jay was "on the road" and Pam knew something serious was wrong so she called 911. God was with her! The emergency squad was able to stop her bleeding and save her life. At the hospital she had a large embolism removed. Now, after several more days, she has come home. Many prayers have been sent upward for her the past few weeks but continued prayer is needed. Jay still needs to work and she needs someone with her 24 hours a day while Pam rests. Barb Woods is trying to find friends in our church family who can stay with her for shifts of a few hours at a time. She also is organizing for meals to be carried in for a while. If you would like to help in any way, contact Barb. You can always pray and be sure to thank God for His excellent care and support for this family.

IHS,

Roger

Charge Conference

Tonight was the area "charge conference" held at Trinity Park UMC where District Superintendent Bert Kite, challenges congregations for the coming year. Many congregations explained their new goals for the 2012. Many pastors read the names of new members in their respecttive congregations. And D.S. Kite delivered a wonderful message titled, "Come Home by Another Way." Also attending were Justine Handley, our Board Chairperson; Denny Woods, Chairman of the Elders; and Wayne Beck, Director of Sunday School Progams.
Cookies and apple cider was served. I was impressed with the professional way Bert conducted the meeting.

IHS,

Roger

God is good!

God is indeed good! This week has provided many praises in our church family.
Becky Pfeifer continues to recover and improve after her aneurism surgery. She was seen out to eat at the new Lincoln Square Restaurant in Greenfield.

Jake Gumberts is walking with a cane after a recent knee replacement.

Bonnie Petrow also continues to get better and better after her knee replacement.

Jack Zerkel's hip replacement was successful and he is finding relief from the pain of the old hip.

Debbie Ettinger had successful surgery and some fibroid tumors were removed. The doctors assured Debbie that they thought they had taken out any cancers that may have been there.
Finally, Nelson Keener's heart cath went well and everything looked good. (Dee joked..."He really does have a heart!"

Those who have had recent health issues KNOW that God is good!
For the rest of us who had been fortunate enough to be able to avoid serious health concerns, we can praise Him for His goodness to us. Let's all thank God!

IHS,

Roger

A Trying Tuesday

I thought today would be routine. I planned to go help my nephew, Ted Jacobs, move his grandparents into assisted living housing. Then I had four members of our church family to visit later.
(Ted goes into IU hospital tomorrow to donate a kidney for a co-worker, Cathy Dowling, from Greenfield-Central High School.)

OOOPS! Routine out the window! The move was difficult and to a second story apartment. It was about 1:00 p.m. when I got a call from Vetha Jordan and then Kathy Wilson telling me Dale Kitley had fallen. He was taken to Hancock Regional Hospital then on to St. Vincent's on west 86th street. Anita was with me so we left to be with Roberta up at the hospital. We found Dale and Roberta still in the emergency room at St. Vincent's. After visiting with Dale, we all prayed for his healing and for the comfort of his family...at home and in our congregation. Dale is so beloved by his church family. He is such a fine Christian man and leader in our congregation. Dale is 90...and still works tirelessly for our Lord.
Please pray for him. Please honor him with "get well" wishes. He was then moved to a regular room. He is in Room 5407 now.

Then Anita and I went to make sure Ann was OK. We found her at home with Gloria having dinner. Kelly Merlau was there helping out too. We all need our support groups. Ann has all of us to pray for her and her immediate family to be with her.

WE know God holds these two in the palm of His hands and will accept them with open arms in His time. Continued prayers are welcome!!!

IHS,

Roger

Jake Gumberts

This morning after our prayer breakfast I made a bee-line for Community East Hospital where Jake Gumberts, Kay's husband, was having a knee placement. I got there about 11:30 since they were going to take him in early for the procedure. By about 1:00, they finally got around to Jake. He was in good spirits and positive about the coming surgery. Except he had to fast since yesterday and the poor guy was "starving." After a prayer, they took Jake to surgery and Kay and Norm and Delores and I visited the cafeteria.

I just talked to Kay and the surgery went especially well but Jake was really groggy when she finally got to see him after 6:00 p.m. The hospital will have him up on the knee as early as tomorrow so keep he and Kay in your ongoing prayers!

In His Service,

Roger

Surgery Support Team

Pictured are Loyce's three daughters and son along with her husband Russell. They were all at the hospital to support "Mom" during her recent surgery.

After breakfast with my Murfreesburo family at IHOP, Anita and I drove through the driving rain in Tennessee and Kentucky to get back home to support my good friend Jerome Davis at the loss of his father Jim. Jim, or "Bud," as his friends called him had many health issues which finally caused "our" loss and heavens' gain. Bud was a man whom everyone loved as he loved everyone. His wife of 55 years, Jewell, his sons JD, Jim, and John will miss this great husband and dad.

We, his church family, must bond together and uplift our brother Jerome at this time when he must adjust to the loss of a special father. Cards, notes phone messages certainly will help to remind JD and his family that "all things work for good for those who love the Lord..." We know Bud loved the Lord and is in a special place today. He knows NO pain. He needs nothing. He is in the loving hands of our Savior.

IHS,

Roger

The Southern Tour

Once a month I try to get down to our good friends in Franklin. I go down to the Methodist Community to see Myrna Beck, Frances Kissel, and Doris Vandine. After the Monday prayer breakfast, I saw Myrna as she was doing her physical therapy. She looked great, had a great attitude, and was doing remarkably well with her "rehab." She was on her feet, using a walker, and the therapist challenged her to go faster and faster. God is good and he looks after His own!
I prayed with her and headed down the hall to find Frances getting her laundry ready to do. She is an amazing lady. She is very "together." She told me what all her kids were doing and what her grandkids were doing. Then she corrected me about who was related to who among New Palestine families. We then tried to call Doris and invite her to lunch but couldn't get her on the phone. So I went down to her house. She seemed to be doing great! We are blessed to have these fabulous servants for Christ in our church family.

OMG

Oh my goodness, Oh my gosh, or even Oh my God...
My Sunday School class discussed OMG Sunday. IS the saying blasphemous? Or is it just calling on the majesty of our Lord? I prefer to look at is as a positive thing. Most of the time when it is used it is reflecting the awesomeness of our God. If we see or hear an OMG it gives us the opportunity to talk about God. Perhaps to even say to the speaker...oh I am glad to hear you're a Christian.

This past weekend the tragedy that happened at the Fairgrounds brought lots of OMGs. Some people suffered great loss there, but it also gave thousands of people a chance to show their Christlike behaviors helping others. As much as we need to pray and support those who suffered or are still in pain, we also must praise God for His sending many "angels" of care who stepped up to help in many ways.

May God bless those who helped save lives and even put themselves in harms way in order to serve others. OMG...they can be proud!

Hospice for members

Most of us do not really understand "Hospice." The term truly means helping to keep folks comfortable during the last days (weeks) of their humanly existence.

Two of our long time members and Christian family friends are now suffering with major life changes. Both Myrna Beck and Marge Barrett are on my heart right now. Both have major health issues which will ultimately bring their demise. They are ready to see Jesus but we are not really ready to let them go just yet. Loved ones are so very hard to let go even when we know it is time. Myrna is in Franklin at the "big house..." the Franklin Methodist Home. Our beloved Linda Quick is her daughter and main caregiver. Marge Barrett is presently at Community North but may go home soon. Her daughter Julie is her main caregiver and lives with her most of the time. We need to pray for Myrna and Marge and that they can go home to their Lord peacefully. We also need to continue to support with cards, calls and prayers Linda and Julie and their families.

God Bless the USA

JT said today in prayer that God was as close to us as the air we breathe. He knows our every need. He hears our prayers. I truly believe God "wants" the USA to be HIS country. We, as Christians, need to continue to be His emissaries, His ambassadors, His children. As we celebrate this Memorial Day, let's remember that this country was started to allow religious freedom. Let's continue to fight for that right.

Monday, there will be no prayer breakfast as many of our breakfast "haunt" are closed for the holiday, but get last week's list out and pray for them anyway!

May God bless you and yours this week and always.

Roger

Disaster Kits

The Monday prayer breakfast gang was busy today at Jay-Rays restaurant in New Palestine. After our breakfast and our prayers for others, we put together disaster kits for victims of recent natural disasters.

Working together are Mary Jo Shaw, Wayne Beck, John Hancock, Don Ellis, Sheila Ellis, Gail Hancock and Sally Beck.

Marge Barrett in Community East

Marge Barrett has returned to the hospital following a fall last week end. She has a broken hip and is having surgery today to place pins in it for stability. Julie has been by her side every step of the way but they both need our ongoing prayers. If all goes well, Marge will move to a rehab center in a few days for a 6 - 8 week session. They haven't decided where she will do her rehab.

Ann Kitley remains at Springhurst in Greenfield. She seems to be doing OK but I am very concerned for Dale as he is worn out with worry and running back and forth. God's love is great in these two but to see them faltering is sad for me.


(Some days my job is very depressing!)

He is Risen!

Today is Easter! He is risen! The fact He lives gives all of us hope for the promise of eternal life if we give ourselves to Christ. He is the Good News of the world.

This week several members of our church family had good news in their lives. Our good friend Walt Willitts got good news from the doctor that although he is experiencing some diminished senses, their is nothing negative found on his brain.

Word is Nancy Yount is back to work at the profession she loves aiding children as they mature in their educational lives.

Mary Lynn Reese got good news about her back. She has had much pain but it is now controlled with medications.

Pam Komendo got good news that her discolored arm is normal and due to her recent surgery. It should be nothing to worry about which relieves her of concern.

Donna Koohns continues to improve at home after her broken leg.

God is so good to us! We see Him in our daily blessings if we are smart enough to recognize HIM!!!

In His Service,

Roger

Marge Barrett

Marge continues to fight her health issues at Community North Hospital. She began her Chemo Thursday. Please keep her and her daughter, Julie, in your prayers.

God Answers Prayer

God is so good. He hears our every prayer. He knows what is in our hearts. He is with us in our most desparate times and cries with us. But...He also rejoices with us. He laughs and sings with us when we are celebrating! JT even said He "dances" with us. WOW...Is that ever a radical thought for Methodists!
I know He cares for us. He helped Donna Koohns through her recovery after a serious fall. He watched after Carol York as she recovered from back surgery. He helped Barb Alexander as she worked through her broken arm. He also is encouraging for Anne Dawson, Jackie Ponsler, Greg Brittain, Gloria Kitley, Kay Gumberts, Marge Barrett...and others as they continue to find their way after the loss of loved ones..

God is good! He will continue to look after Marge Barrett and Julie as Marge now has health issues of her own. He will be with Dave and Nancy Yount. He will be with YOU. The power of prayer is immense. God will reward us for our trust and faithfulness. It is up to us to continue in OUR faith by showing our love for Him by showing our love for others. Pray for others. Call. Send a positive note..or e-mail! It all will work for good if YOU do it in faith with the love of Christ.

God is so good! And He answers prayer!

March...and SPRING...Hooray!

Finally, finally we are seeing some signs of Spring! The sun is shining, it is warming up, robins are hunting worms, and the raccoons are getting in my bird feeder...but that's another story.
With the positive signs of Spring, our spirits are brightened and we just feel better. We don't have to fear ice and snow and falling or crashing our automobiles. The grass is getting greener. The trees are beginning to bud out. Kids are back outside playing. All these are signs of changes in our weather and our lives. It reminds me of the greatest renewal in our lives we can ever have. It is the refreshing knowledge we get when we give our lives to Christ. We are renewed by His presence in us. We are renewed by the Holy Spirit directing us. We are renewed in the promise of eternity for believers in Christ.
Now that we have changed our clocks for daylight savings time, let's changed or renew our attitudes and spirit. Let's truly find ways to show our Christianity. Let's truly "Love one another..." Let's recognize the love of Christ in all our daily activities and show all those around us what God is all about.

It is still icy!

I just returned to church from Hancock Regional Hospital and Morristown Manor. I was able to see some Morristown friends and Donna Koohns who is now "rehabbing" at the Manor.
Last week, Donna made a trip to the mail box which is a short distance out her front door. She realized the walk and the driveway were all ice so she smartly decided to go straight across the yard in the snow. With her first step in the yard she went down breaking her femur (upper leg) in three places. She did not realize the "snow" on the yard was white, glare ice. After surgery at HRH, she is now on the mend at Morristown Manor, Room 703. I am sure she would love to receive a card of good wishes from her Christian family. However, there is still ice out there so be careful if you go to your mailbox!

Donna Koohns
Morristown Manor #603
868 S. Washington St.
Morristown, IN 46161

Dear Meredith,

We have all lost a loved one who was precious to us. I thought this was so sweet it was worth passing on.
IHS,
Roger
Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven.
We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies..' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith along with this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart..
Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.
Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write and send it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.
By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,

God

I am too old for 12 hour days!

Whew...I am home! It is Monday evening about 8:00 p.m. I left for the Monday prayer breakfast this morning at 7:45 a.m. Breakfast at Carol's Cornerstone Cafe was good as was the conversation and concern of those present. Wayne and Sally Beck had already headed for Florida to get ahead of the incoming storm. John and Gail Hancock were already in Florida. Charles Merlau had to work so Judy, MaryJo, and I joined the Ellises and Wilsons for prayers. (We may be small in numbers, but we are mighty in deeds!) After breakfast we shared a discussion of concerns for others. Then we sent our prayers for many people to our listening and understanding Lord. As I do each week, then I sent an email to our NPUMC "prayer warriors" list so they can all share in prayer for those on our list. By now it was around 11:00 so I headed west to check in at church. Then expecting the worst weather, I decided to head down to Franklin for my monthly visit with Myrna Beck and Frances Kissell. I figured I may not be out too much after today. Myrna was not feeling at all well so after a prayer with her I headed over to the main building to see Frances. She is over 90 and has been living there for 23 years! She is "sharp as a tack" and still walks down to the dining hall for three squares a day. It's good exercise as it is about half a city block...one way. We talked and laughed and reminisced about her childhood and the booming town of Gem where she lived. (Her father had a small gas station and restaurant on the north side of highway 40 just east of 500 West.) After prayer, I figured I'd better get moving back toward Indy. Upon arriving at my truck I found my keys were still in the ignition and naturally the doors were locked. I went back inside and finally found an inner city key...a coathanger. Since I have past experience with such things, I was back on the road in about 15 minutes. JT called me and he was still a bit under the weather. So I went from Franklin to St. Vincent's hospital to cover for him. He had planned to go see Carol York. I got up there by 5:00 and after a short visit figured I'd better get moving home before the weather hit. OOPS....It was already pounding me with freezing rain as I traversed the parking lot to my truck. I headed for home only to find it took me almost an hour to get as far as Meridian and 465. After several more prayers...and calls to Anita to reassure her I was OK, I arrived home. I am hungry and pooped. Maybe Tuesday will be better. LOL

In His Service,

Roger

Our good Christian friend Carol York had surgery today on her back. Her doctor at St. Vincent Hospital explained that her spine was out of alignment and was pressing on her sciatic nerve causing her intense pain. Her daughters, Sandra and Sarah, said she has had this pain for years. But in the last year it has worsened. She is a "trooper" though and has battled through the pain for some time. The doc said he would fuse L4 and L5 using the least invasive means...a few slits instead of one large broad incision. They took her to surgery about 1:45 and she came back to recovery at about 6:30p.m. She may remain in the hospital 3 - 4 days then stay there for rehab a bit longer.

They use some "puppy dog" therapy at St. Vincent and before Carol went into surgery she met "Hank," a Cairn Terrier there. Her spirit immediately brightened! She needs our encouragement and prayers as she mends. I don't have a room number for her yet but calls and cards are always welcome. (Call St. Vincent's patient information to check on her progress.)

IHS,

Roger

Well, it is finally here...1-11-11. I have no idea what all the ones might mean but it's the only time it can happen in a very long time. I know this...Each day is precious and it's our job to make the best of every one God gives us.
With the beautiful snow this morning, it was bound to be a great day! I met a dear friend for breakfast...while it snowed. Then I ran into Grant Hampton...while it snowed. Gail Hancock made Harriett Briles day today by calling her. I think it was good for Gail too because she called me and seemed happy and excited to have made Harriett so happy...and it snowed more. I stopped in to see Judy Willetts and while we visited and solved the world's problems...it snowed. Then when I stopped to check on Carolyn Groschelle...well you know...it snowed. It was a great day. Carolyn has had to put off her hip replacement while she had more tests. She really wants to get back to church, but she doesn't get around too well even with her walker...and then there is the SNOW!!!
When I finally got back to church...it snowed some more...and as long as I can keep my truck "shiny side up" I 'll still enjoy it!!!
Tomorrow is 1-2-11 and it will be the first day of the rest of your life. May you take God with you and make the best of it!

From the Upper Room

The January 3 Upper Room reading was so inspirational to me I have to pass it on to those of you who may not read it.

1 Corinthians 12: 25-26

"All the body's different parts have the same concern for one another. If one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness."

What an apt picture the apostle Paul gave us when he described believers as being the parts of Christ's body! As with a human body, each of us has our own unique part to play. No one else can contribute what God has planned for you or me within Christ's own much loved and valued body. Lately, I've been needing to relearn this. In our church several gifted people younger than I make a fine contribution to the church's ministry. As I watch and listen, seeing the eager response people give them, my mind is filled with If-only-I-could-do-that thoughts. It's easy to become resentful when instead I could be happy because God is at work through these other members of our common body. After all, when an athlete wins a race, his whole body jumps for joy. You never see an arm or a leg resentfully refusing to share in the celebration.
So it's important for me to celebrate because God's work is being done so well by other parts of Christ's body. At the same time, it's important for me to identify my own unique place and responsibility in the body and to experience the pleasure of fitting in with everyone else as, unite, we respond to Christ, our head.
As competitive as I am, this really struck a nerve for me! May God proudly bless each one of our family who serves to help bring others to or keep others close to our Christ!
IHS,
Roger