Letter to graduates

Dear Graduate,

There is a little piece of wisdom that is not often included in graduation cards or speeches. Maybe it will strengthen you as you face tomorrow’s challenges. It is simply this:

Set backs are important.

You may struggle in a class in college. Get back up and take it again.

You may experience rejection. Some people have prejudices that affect how they perceive and treat us. Be the most loving person your enemies every hated.

You may experience illness, financial crisis, or an interruption to your plans. Accept God’s grace, and let His strength give you patience and hope.

Graduate, setbacks are the building blocks that courage is built upon. Recovering from life’s interruptions builds the strength of character upon which we lean when life takes its famously unexpected turns: the piercing grief of a stillbirth; a coveted job given to someone else; maltreatment from someone you trusted; a debilitating health crisis. It turns out that those early setbacks of youth are a hidden blessing. They teach us how to wait; how to accept the unexpected; and how to depend on Jesus and let Him be everything we ever needed.

So as you celebrate your laudable achievements today, thank God for the good times—but don’t forget to thank Him for setbacks too. They are both gold.

Our prayers for God’s very best go with you today!

In Christ,

the Valentins

Mother's Day thoughts

 Several weeks ago, Kaitlyn and I took a tour of the Meramec Caverns. While we took our tour, I was nervous because the water on both sides of our walkway seemed exceptionally deep. I had visions of losing my cell phone in it, or of the little toddler in front of me tumbling under the handrail. You could see what appeared to be huge rocky valleys under the surface of the water, plunging hundreds of feet. Toward the end of the tour, our guide explained that the water was actually just a few inches deep. What we were seeing, in the dim light of the cave, was a fantastic optical illusion. Those deep, rocky valleys were actually just a reflection of the top of the cave!

For many of us, the character of God is reflected very vividly in our mothers. When we think of our mothers, we see God’s unconditional love; His patience; His gentleness; His attention to our needs; His provision; and His great sacrifice. But for others, that reflection is missing. Because of the complexities of life, sometimes children feel that their section of the cave floor is dry. They peer down at a muddy floor, and there is no breath-taking reflection looking back up at them. They search for the character of God in a mother, but maybe their mother was taken from them in infancy, or maybe she was absent emotionally, leaving her children wondering if she truly cared.

If your Mother’s Day is complicated by absence, rejection, and disappointment, I want to encourage you with this thought: When the reflection of God’s unconditional love is missing in the people in your life, look up at the original. God’s unconditional love is still spectacular and breath-taking, even when human relationships fail to reflect it properly.

“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.” Psalm 27:10 

Letting Go and Letting God

Since Kaitlyn will be working at PCC this summer, I won’t get to be with her on her 18^th birthday (August 10^th). So last Saturday, we took a day to celebrate, four months early, and we did something I have not done for over 22 years: We went zip-lining!

It looked so easy on the video. In fact, it even looked fun. But suddenly, there I was, bound by harnesses and locked to a cable above me, ready to step out of a platform high above the parking lot and let a small metal contraption carry me hundreds of feet across the Meramec River into a waiting tower in the woods. Wait—WHAT?!

Sensing my hesitation, Kaitlyn urged me from behind. “Just go, Mom!” I’m sure she suspected that each second of hesitation only increased my chances of backing out. And so I did what my mind shouted never to do: Two stories above a parking lot, I stepped on air.

The harnesses tightened their grip underneath me and secured me to the cable as I flew over vehicles, people, boats on the moving river, and tree tops. My fear turned into exhilaration as my feet dangled helplessly in space. There was nothing to do but ride. My harnesses did their job.

A few months ago, I was searching for the Lord to help me navigate this chapter of my life as I prepare for Kaitlyn to take flight and start college. God gave me this verse (Psalm 16:9): “ . . . my flesh also shall rest in hope.” For me, resting feels like stepping on air. Jesus will do His job. Like a harness underneath, gripping me to the cable that carries me, Jesus does not let go. I can afford to rest from fretting. Oh, I have so much to learn about stepping on air. Letting go and letting God carry me is my daily challenge!

Passion Week verses

Key Scripture Passages for Passion Week Events

Palm Sunday: "And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." Matthew 21:1 - 11

Last Supper: "The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples." Matthew 26:17 - 25

Judas' betrayal at Gethsemane: ""And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him." Luke 22:47-53

Peter's denial: "Peter then denied again; and immediately the cock crew." John 18:17, 25 - 27

Judgment Hall Trial before Pilate: "Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover." John 18:28-19:5

Barabbas released instead of Jesus: "Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber." John 18:39 - 40

Crucifixion and death: "And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost." Mark 15:25 - 39

Burial: "This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus." Luke 23:50 - 56

Resurrection: "He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee." Luke 24:1 - 9

Habits

When I was a little girl, I enjoyed getting to visit my Grandma Gustafson. It was always a good day when we arrived at Grandma's house and found her baking bread! Even now, my memory can take me back decades to the tiny kitchen table where my brothers and I would carve into a hot, delicious loaf of Grandma's bread.

I do not remember Grandma ever making a bad loaf of bread. Although she famously did not use a recipe, she repeated her bread-making process with exact, predictable precision every single time, leaving nothing to chance. And we kids were richly rewarded every time she finished a batch of bread!

Just as there are habits that make for successful bread-making, there are habits that contribute toward a successful Christian life, too. Neither one should be left to chance or whim. Several habits that the Bible links to a successful Christian life include these:

Daily personal Bible reading (Joshua 1:8)

Daily personal prayer time (Psalm 55:17)

Regular family Bible time (Deuteronomy 6:7)

Faithful church attendance (Hebrews 10:25)

Sharing Christ with those we love (I Peter 3:14 - 16)

Although the Christian life is much bigger than a recipe, these habits make a huge difference in helping us to find the strength and victory we need each day from Jesus!  

Why participate in missions giving?

Why participate in missions giving?

1. Jesus' final command was for us to reach all nations with the Gospel (Matthew 28:18 - 20). Since most of us will never have the privilege of carrying the Gospel to another nation, we must seek ways to help another to go in our place. Prayer, financial assistance, and encouragement are the most basic needs of every missionary.

2. Most missionaries to foreign countries are completely dependent on local church support for their personal and ministry income. Here in the U.S., many pastors have the option to work bi-vocationally if necessary. But missionaries in foreign countries who are under-supported will likely have to shorten their stay and come back for more support.

3. We will not always be able to earn eternal rewards through missionary giving. Even Jesus acknowledged a time limit to His earthly ministry (John 9:3). We each have only a short window in this life with which to carry the Gospel to the far reaches of the earth.

4. The will of God will always touch us at a point of sacrifice (Romans 12:1; II Cor. 8:8). We serve a Savior with nail prints. It should come as no surprise then that He would allow us to experience sacrifice as well, as we seek opportunity to reach the world with the Gospel.       

Sundays

Sundays are hectic days, aren't they? We find ourselves rushing to get breakfast on the table, hair combed, teeth brushed, and shoes tied to hustle everyone out the door. And just when we feel that we have crossed the finish line of the Great Sunday Marathon, we get to church and realize: We forgot something!

Maybe it was a Bible, or a quarter for the offering plate, or an extra diaper for a baby. Maybe we look down and notice someone wearing mismatched socks, or we realize we forgot that extra breath mint to keep a stomach from growling during church. There always seems to be something, doesn't there?

But what is really the most important thing to bring to church? Surprisingly, it's not anything we have to pack into a diaper bag or a Bible case on Saturday night. The most important thing any of us can bring to church is an awareness of our great spiritual need.

Jesus said, "They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick." (Luke 5:31)

What is your spiritual need today? Are you aware of what God wants to do for you today? May God meet you at that place of need. "Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it."

Prayer lists

Do you ever make a trip to the grocery store--only to get home and realize that you forgot to pick up the very thing you needed most? I hope I'm not the only one who does that! My family can testify to how often I run to the store--only to neglect the very item I announced I was heading out to get! My problem isn't really a memory problem, though. My problem is a list problem. When I don't take a list, I forget the important stuff.

Similarly, I find that I also need a daily reminder list of the many people who I need to pray for. Despite good intentions, I sadly tend to forget to pray for people if I do not make a point of writing down their need.

Have you considered making a personal prayer list for 2017? Here are some important categories to consider adding to your daily prayer list:

1. Our church family--by name.

2. Our government officials, by name when possible.

3. Your family and other close relationships, by name.

4. The persecuted church.

5. The nation of Israel.

6. Unsaved friends and family, by name.

7. Each of our 12 missionaries, by name.

Specific prayers get specific answers.

Suggested resolutions (January post)

When it comes to making New Year's resolutions, we tend to think of keeping our goals in terms of "success" or "failure." How often have we started off a year with physical fitness or time management as a resolution, only to run into some "failure" a month or two later!

Interestingly, the word "success" is found only once in the Bible: not because God doesn't want us to be successful, but because there is only one source for success. You see, the word "success" in the Bible pertains to our relationship with God's Word. That is the only source of true success.

Joshua 1:8 tells us, "This book of the law shall not depart out of (*or be absent from) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

This year, as you form your goals and hopes for 2017, have you considered putting God's Word at the top of your resolutions? Here are some strategic goals for letting God's Word bring you success this year:

1. I resolve to read the Bible, at least a verse, every single day.

2. I resolve to journal what I am learning from God's Word.

3. I resolve to take notes during preaching.

4. I resolve to research areas of the Bible that puzzle me.

5. I resolve to read the Scriptures systematically rather than just focusing on my favorite topics, passages, and books.

That's the recipe for success! May God bless you in 2017! I'm thankful for each of you.

~Kristie

Christmas expectations

Maybe I can encourage those whose Christmas tree is going on a "diet" this year. :) Are you struggling with how to handle a lean budget? Is Santa sending back your lists with revisions and cuts?

Christmas is often very stressful because it is a season rich with traditions. We all want our kids to look back with same sense of "always" that we had growing up. Maybe you "always" made certain foods; "always" went certain places; and of course, "always" started of Christmas morning with the happy screech of Christmas paper wrap torn off mysterious packages piled under the tree. "Always" is actually a very dangerous word.

There are four things that can help ease the financial stress of this time of year. I hope this puts a spring back in your step, if the weight of unrealistic expectations has been slowing you down.

1. Find free/almost free traditions.

I love looking at Christmas lights. It's not free to the homeowners who will be paying their December electric bill in bricks of gold. :) But for the rest of us, it's a delightful tradition. I have many fond memories of taking a ten-minute drive with my family to a neighboring community where Christmas lights were fantastic. Turn on some Christmas music in the car (radio is still free too--yay!!).

Other free ideas:

Read the Christmas story and memorize Luke 2:1 - 14 as a family.

Pray earnestly for those who are suffering deep grief at this season.

Find a way to bless someone else through acts of kindness.

2. Be honest with older kids; be vague and optimistic with younger kids.

Older kids can handle the truth about budgets, and I view it as a valuable part of their growth. After all, they will someday have to make hard choices too. Why make them feel that you never had to do that? Why go into debt paying for electronics you can't afford just so they can have what other kids have? Teenagers may be more appreciative of small gifts if they understand the sacrifice.

But little kids are so easy to please! Three of Joshua's favorite toys are large items I bought for under $5 at Goodwill in previous Christmases. As one of their gifts, my brother used to give his kids a box of sugared cereal once a year, on Christmas. What a fun tradition! And knowing Elizabeth's skill with coupons, she probably got them free and earned points while she was at it. :)

3. Don't covet.

It is easy to overlook that tenth commandment. After all, it doesn't seem as catastrophic as adultery, murder, or idol worship. And maybe its consequences are sometimes easier to rein in for a while. But left unchecked, coveting can do as much harm as adultery. It can poison a marriage; it can create rebellion in kids who are subjected to parental jealousy and depression; and it can create anger toward God for not giving us the same things He gave others. David asked in Psalm 77:9, "Hath God forgotten to be gracious?" Coveting suggests that God leaves some people behind. Coveting is a noose, suffocating faith, hope, kindness, and joy.

4. Give creatively without distressing your budget.

Acts of kindness; budget-friendly baked goods (homemade bread is usually under $1/loaf); and relationship-building activities (borrowing a movie, working on a project together, or participating in a community event) are all ways to enjoy the meaning of the Christmas season without living above your means.

And suddenly, Christmas ends up being about Jesus and not about "stuff." Is that really such a bad thing?