I'm Glad For A God Who Doesn't Forget

One of my favorite stories is about an older couple who went out for dinner with friends. They went in one car; the two men in front, their wives in the back. One of the men said to the other, “We were in a terrific restaurant a few weeks ago that we really liked.” “Oh?” said his friend. “What was the name of it?” “Hmmm,” replied the other man, “What’s the name of the flower, usually red or white, that men give to the women they love?” His friend thought for a moment. “Do you mean roses?” “That’s it!” exclaimed the other man as he turned to his wife in the back seat. “Hey Rose!” he said. “What’s the name of the restaurant we were in a few weeks back that we liked so much?”

I can identify with those whose memories fail them.

Two weeks ago, I worked hard to remember Mother’s Day. I have a mother yet living, another mother who is my wife, two daughters in law who are mothers, and a daughter who expects to give birth in October. It was complicated, but with the help of others, I managed to remember them all with flowers and gifts. It isn’t easy for me to remember.

Today is Memorial Day. As Loreen and I walked our circuit this morning at 6:30, a neighbor stepped out his door to raise our country’s flag. “Hand over your heart!” he called out with a smile. He remembered, and I wished for a flag pole of my own. When I opened the newspaper, I found an entire page dedicated to seventeen men and women from southern Arizona. They gave their lives while serving our country in Afghanistan and Iraq. I read their stories. By the time I finished, my eyes were no longer dry. I need these reminders.

To be sure, I have a better memory than some. A couple of weeks ago, I read about a man with brain damage. He has an 8-second memory. His wife visits the long term care facility where he lives, and they have a wonderful time together. However, he can’t remember her between visits. They have to get re-acquainted each time. I’m better than that. I can remember at least eight days.

At times like this, I’m especially glad for a God who doesn’t forget. I know – when we are discouraged by awful things in life, we are tempted to think otherwise. In the Bible (Isaiah 49:14), the prophet Isaiah reports such a complaint from Israel: “The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me.”

The Lord replies through the prophet: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.”

Think of it! Every time Jesus looks at the palms of his hands, he remembers me. He remembers you. I’m glad for a God who doesn’t forget. Aren't you?

Am I Retired, Or What?

Loreen and I live in an adult retirement community. That is, it’s especially designed for the “over 55 crowd.” However, we have learned along the way that about a third of them are still gainfully employed – whatever that means.

The other day, a neighbor of mine asked a question that made me think twice. Three times, maybe. “When did you retire?” I knew what he meant, so I told him that I retired as pastor of Grace Church in Lititz, Pennsylvania at the end of June, 2004. The real answer is much more complicated. I may have retired from being the pastor of a church, but I am still very much “employed” within the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

The last three months have been busier than I would like to admit. During a 45-day period in February and March, I put together a “certification summit” for the chairmen of examining boards in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. Men came from points as far away as Alaska and Florida – 26 of us, counting myself. Of the 22 Districts listed as members of the Fellowship, 17 were represented.

Grace Church in Lititz hosted the gathering, so we flew to Baltimore and drove up to Pennsylvania on March 23. The Summit was historic in nature because we had never done anything like this before. We gathered on Monday night and concluded Wednesday morning. In my opinion, it was a huge success.

The Certification Summit was sponsored by the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers and funded by Grace Brethren North American Missions. Our first priority was to achieve basic agreement on a new ministry certification for church planters. Obviously, we discussed other things as well.

Loreen and I returned to Arizona on April 5, but flew back to Pennsylvania three weeks later to participate in a “mortgage burning” at Grace Church. The building debt is no more – at least for now. As you might imagine, we had a great time with friends and family. It’s always a joy to speak to a great congregation and urge them on to greater things.

After the celebration at Grace Church, we flew to Chicago for a meeting of the Board of Directors for the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation. I serve as a member of the Board until 2008. We returned to Arizona on April 30.

During the month of May, Loreen and I need to get the trailer ready for travel. If we have enough money for gas (spell that diesel), we’ll drive up the coast of California during the month of June. We have lots of churches and pastors we want to visit. If our plan holds, we’ll get all the way to the east coast before fall.

Whew! Am I retired, or what? Sometimes I wonder. Another neighbor of mine put it succinctly: “You travel a lot.” Uh-huh.