ONE YEAR TRIBUTE

I remember the first time I ever met John Franklin. He was teaching a Sunday School lesson on the priesthood and he wore this Hebrew looking prayer shawl.  I knew then in a strange way that he would become a part of our lives.  Now to say that I knew he would become my son-in-law is probably pushing it a little but nevertheless he did.
               
       John was a different kind of "regular guy". OK, he was not a regular guy . He spoke his mind and he had the confidence of a giant. 


               John was all about celebration.  He celebrated everything.  From a pay raise to a cured hang nail John found some way to make a celebration out of it.  And I just know that he is having the time of his life in heaven.  Because heaven is the celebration place folks and if you are going there and you do not like to celebrate; you better get in some training before you get there. And just know, that little speech was for me.  Until I met John Franklin, I did not know how to celebrate, but I learned a thing or two in the 81/2 years he was in our family.


            John was also very serious about some things too.  He was very serious about souls being saved and people growing in the Lord. He was also serious about his family knowing that he loved them. He showed that he was serious about these two things by actions not words.  He did some of the craziest things just to show Penny how much he loved her. He also did some awfully time consuming elaborate things to minister to people so that they could see his care and not just hear it from his mouth.


       Yes, some of John's friends and family thought he was weird (even me sometimes), but I think maybe when we get to heaven and we are  reunited and all the pretenses are gone; some of us stuff shirt-traditional-Pharisees might just see that John was closer to reality than we ever thought possible ..


        My life is richer because I knew him. Our family and the world has suffered a great loss because he went to heaven sooner than we think he should, but God is in control and for whatever reason He took him at 41 I will rejoice that I got to know him on this earth for as long as I did... and I can't wait to see him on the other side...And prove him wrong about so many things we disagreed on theologically..HA! Like it will make any difference then. 


       WE MISS YOU JOHN--FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS 


Love in Him,

Legacy Building Afternoon

I had a great time this afternoon with my grandchildren while their mommy is sick. It got me to thinking though.  In years to come will they remember a cloudy Sunday afternoon when their mommy was sick and grandmother played DSI games, read Bible stories, and helped with Awana bible books memorization?  We worked on the hardest twelve in the Bible.  Even Bible woman grandmother had to brush up on these 12. How would you do?

Hosea          Jonah          Habakkuk      Zechariah
Joel              Micah         Zephaniah      Malachi
Amos           Nahum       Haggai
Obadiah

These are the hardest to remember because we do not use them very much.  I mean; when is the last time  your pastor said "turn in your Bibles to Zephaniah 2"???

Anyway, I was just wondering .........someday in the future will the brother & sister be reminiscing and say: "remember the afternoon not long after our daddy died and mommy was sick and grandmother read to us, played DSI games with us and helped us learn the books of the Bible, then dressed us in our Bible hero costumes for Awanas???

Not tooting my own horn here, but just pondering where all of this will end up?  Hopefully more than just a memory, but if that's all; it was worth it to this grandmother.

We are leaving a legacy; but our question should be of what "sort" it is?

                                  Make a memory today.
                                               
                                                        It will do your heart good.


Love in Him,

AND..AND..AND

Well, it seems that grandson #3 aka J P has been the inspiration of both the Pickard women's blogs today.  J P talks very well, but sometimes he has a hard time getting it out and you can tell he's trying to get together what he wants to say and he will say "and"..."and"...."and" which I learned this morning in my One Year Bible that this conjunction is very biblical..The reading in Psalms was a psalm of Asaph(the choir director) Psalm 78:1-31, but the part I want to focus on is verses 1-8.

(1) Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!!
(2) I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, (3) things that we have heard
and known, that our fathers have told us.  (4) We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and His might, and the wonders that He has done.
(5) He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, (6) that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, ..and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Now for J P, his ands are to keep his mouth moving while he thinks of what he's going to say next. But what are all of these 9 "ands" for;  AND what can we learn here? This whole Psalm is about telling the good news about our great God to the next generation.

So, AND what??

     and known

             and His might                                              
and wonders   and appointed
                          and arise and tell
and not forget
                         and not be like rebellious fathers
     
       We have a story to tell to not only the nations, but to our very own children and grandchildren..It was commanded in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6-good reading for all)..that was not an option if you were an Israelite. The story of how God chose them and carried them and protected them and made them into His people out of all the peoples of the earth.

OH, Parents, Grandparents, Christian relatives....if we do not tell them everyday that there is still a God Who is in control and Who loves them and wants them to follow Him ....Who will?   AND will you AND will I commit to do that today?

Thank you J P. The word "And" is a very good word.

Love in Him,

OLD AGE AND GRAY HAIRS?

Grandmother & Papa

                                                      

There was a wonderful passage in our One Year Bible reading this morning that I just had to share since it speaks directly to this legacy thing that I haphazardly try to perpetuate on this blog. Now I do not consider myself "old" and I only have a "few" gray hairs, but this verse gave me such comfort that I have gone almost all day in it's strength.  Rejoice with me in God's ever faithful Word!

PSALM 71: 17-24. ESV (Yes, it's long; but it will not hurt you to read these words from the Book of Life; even if you too have already read this today.)


 17    "O God, from my youth You have taught me, and I still proclaim Your wondrous deeds.
18      So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come.      
 19 Your righteousness, O God , reaches the high heavens. You Who have done great things, O God,            
                                                  Who is like You?
20  You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth You will bring me up again. 21 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.
                   22  I will also praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel                                                                                                      
                   23  My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to You; my soul also, which You have redeemed.                                             
                   24  And my tongue will talk of Your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.

Love in Him

TRIBUTE TO CHARLES M ROBERTS

Charles Roberts - Pastor

               
Today I want to honor Bro. Charles Roberts who was my pastor for 34 years......   truly a living legacy.  He retired on August 31, 2011 and his last Sunday to preach in that capacity was Sunday Sept. 18, 2011 as we celebrated his long tenure at Denman Avenue Baptist Church.
    
         How do you honor such a man? He was my Pastor, is my friend, my brother and perhaps the greatest counselor outside of the Holy Spirit that I've ever had. Two words come to mind as I try to describe him: FAITHFUL and LOVING . Everything he did as our Pastor he did within the context of these two attributes.  He did not always say what I wanted to hear, but I knew they were wise words that came from his lips and would ultimately be for my good.  


      I am not so sure that my legacy thus far would look like it does if it hadn't been for this godly man in my life.  He has seen all of us through some of the roughest times: illness, sin, death, disappointments, divorce, job loss, aging.... and some of the happiest times: children born, new homes, children married, grandchildren, spiritual growth,  retirement.      
       
        Selfishly, I am a little anxious about not having a pastor that "knows" me and my "stuff" at this trying time of my life, but I know my God and He too is Faithful and Loving and all His Words are true.  So I will continue to serve and live as Bro. Charles taught us over the years; by being steadfast and faithful to the cause of Christ and His body at Denman Ave Baptist Church..


    THANK YOU BRO. CHARLES for all you have done and all you will continue to do in the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May all who come behind us find us faithful.

Love in Him,

A Summer of Service

                                                           

Well, we have survived the summer. Grandmother Camp was a roaring success.  We learned all about freedom, our America and some of the people who helped to give us the wonderful country that we have. The finale production was complete with flags, banners, patriotic readings and lively songs. The best thing I learned was from the youngest member, J.P. One day at lunch he said: “ You take what you git and you don’t throw a fit.” Now I understand that little ditty is as old as Methusalah, but I had never heard it.  Honestly!! Our family has definitely learned in the last 8 months that this little truth is so important in the living of life.  Our lives are certainly a lot different than we would have expected 8 months ago.  But nonetheless, we are not throwing a fit, or a pity party.  Sorrowing yes, crying some yes, but the only fit going on is knowing that He is “fitting” us for His Kingdom.

The beginning of our summer started with a miracle of a sort.  I was retired early from my job at the bank.  I had planned to retire in 2 years.  Well, God had a different plan and it is the most wonderful thing that has happened to me since I can’t remember when.  He truly knows best.  He knew I would never willingly quit a good paying job to stay home and help with the new life that we have all been called upon to live.  So I say with the hundreds of others:  “ I do not know how I ever worked 8-10 hours a day away from home. Now my days are filled with much more meaningful work and I praise Him for all of His wonderful ways. Truly His ways are not our ways.  Great is Your faithfulness Lord unto me.!!

Penny had her first experience of teaching VBS (Vacation Bible School). Of course I had to put  my two cents worth in since I  taught 5^th grade VBS for several years albeit decades ago. But mostly I just kept her kids so she could get her “Big Apple Adventure room ready.  The greatest treasure of this years’ VBS was that my granddaughter said yes to the call of Jesus on her little life.  Praise God ! That is why we do it. 

                                                                         

The McComber/Franklin gang had a great time at Disney World with no major clitches. 

They made it safely there and back. Which was an answer to my daily prayer.  It looked like Santa had come when all four kids got their stuff unloaded.  What memories they made.

                                                                    

Then on to being a teacher’s assistant as Penny began to put her classroom together. Wow! What a great job she did.. It was my honor to help her.  It brought back memories of several years ago when I helped Glenda get her first classroom ready.

Today Penny began her first official day of “In-Service”.  Why do they call the week before school starts “In-Service” ? Seems to me they are “In-Service” for 10-11 months out of the year!! Such a good reminder for me as a servant for the Lord that I am to be “in-service” everyday of the year.  I felt really bad because John would have had a big celebration.  Maybe I will be a better servant on Monday August 22 when school starts and have a big send off for all 3 of the Franklins. I am open to any ideas.  I am not the celebrating type, but I can learn.

So, now I am to what I do best; being a nanny, a cook, and a housekeeper and oh yes, a grandmother. Even in the ordinary everyday routine of life we are building memories, growing and learning to be more like our Lord.  

The next big hurdle for us is that August 31, 2011 will be the last official day for our beloved pastor Charles Roberts . He is retiring after 35 years of faithful, loving service to this body of believers at Denman Avenue Baptist Church.  I am happy for him because he is not in good health and as I said above being retired is a wonderful thing.  I know that he will not retire from serving the Lord, but he will be able to do his service as he is able.  I love this shepherd of the Lord and will miss him tremendously. 

Life is all about change though; so we move forward in whatever God has called us to.  Our part is to learn and live in such a way that those who come after us will love and honor the LORD until their time comes to learn and live and pass it on and learn and live and pass it on…that living legacy that we are all building. God’s Word says in  PSALMS 127: 1  “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it…. How’s your legacy building project coming along??

Love in Him,

John Franklin-A Living Legacy

A Living Legacy

      July 6^th, John Franklin’s first Birthday in heaven.  I’m not sure he’s having a party. I hope so because the man celebrated everything for everybody!! I know when Jesus comes and we are on the New Earth we will celebrate all things good, but I’m not sure that’s happening now, never-the-less; I can give my tribute to this man who was adored by his family and friends and respected by everyone that knew him --even if they thought he was a little weird! HA! I’ll never understand why the good die young, but God is Sovereign and we must say: “Yes Lord”.

     I have been researching and preparing for this years’ Grandmother & Papa Camp which is Red, White, Blue, & You.  As you might guess-America’s Christian heritage.  I came across something that was written about Abraham Lincoln that certainly was appropriate for him, but after I read it a couple of times I thought of my son-in-law John Franklin..

      “ He died with every circumstance of tragedy, yet it is not the accident of his death, but the purpose of his life that is remembered”..

     John Franklin’s death is and will always be a tragedy to us who loved him, but he knew his purpose and sought to fulfill that purpose everyday of his life.  Do you know your purpose?  It’s really simple.  Our purpose in life is to bring glory to God our Father who made us for Himself just because He wanted to love us.  John knew this and lived it daily.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY John, and thank you for showing us what we are here for.                                                 

                Save us a place at the table……we'll be along "da-rectly"....

                                           

Love in Him,

Lanita's Listening

    
      One of my favorite TV preachers is Charles Stanley.  He has a favorite phrase: "If you're listening, say Amen." As I began to prepare for my Sunday School lesson for Sunday I realized the new unit is going to be about Freedom. So what, you might ask.  Let me share with you the last four lessons and see what you think. The unit four months ago was Grieving and Comfort (John's moving to heaven only 1 month past); after that the month of lessons was on Leadership ( fired from a job of 32 years); the month we're ending Sunday is on Proper Perspective on Possessions (still adjusting to half the salary- I retired and am drawing Social Security and Bank Pension, but that is half what I was making. Now, as I look ahead the month of July we are going to study Freedom (Grandmother & Papa camp will be an attempt to teach our Christian heritage to the 4 grandkids ages 4-10. It's name this year is Red,White,Blue, You..and begins July 11th).

                                                                  
       Until today I had doubts about that being any fun and perhaps not age appropriate.. Now I know I am right on track.  In fact, I just believe He might be reading my mail...or ......could it be, let it be...that I am finally listening to Him.. Jeremiah 33: 3 is known as God's phone number. Believe me I know His number..for He says: "Call unto me and I will show you great and mighty things which you don't have a clue about." (Lanita's paraphrase)
      
       Pray for us as we continue to meld 2 families and especially pray for Grandmother & Papa camp. I want my grandkids to know that this is a great country that was originally founded on Christian principles. God bless our America. This land is our land, God ordained it's founding; and I want them to know that.

Love in Him,