Making the Most of Time

What do you do with the time you're given?  While much of the world was up in arms at the way young Brittany Maynard chose to end life on earth in the wake of her brain cancer diagnosis, I quietly watched, waited, listened, and learned.  I didn't give a single opinion, post, share, or like, I just learned.  The biggest lesson I've learned is that my remaining life would be best spent modeled from the Bible and those of faith around me.  Here are a few of the passages and people I've learned from.

1. Whether you know the end of your days or not, make more effort to enjoy them, especially when they are good. "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth." - Ecc 11:9a.  When I think about who does this best, is there anyone at our church who does this better than Jarissa Page?  Let's take a lesson from her as we endeavor to smile more and rejoice often.
2. Facing trials with God can bring about joy and other good qualities, not just in us, but in those who help & watch during trials. "Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into many trials;³ Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience.⁴ And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing." - James 1:2-4.  I've been inspired for years by stories of Virgil Wininger, the care he had for his terminally ill wife, and how he joyfully brought her to WCOC. Could it be that God perfects the rest of us too while watching the faithful service of others going through trial?
3. Hope for good is strongly connected to purpose. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28.  Through observation, whether young or old, those who know God and know they are called for His purpose, handle illness different. They have hope; hope that God can heal them, hope that God will use the time they have left for His glory, hope that their life with God might inspire someone else.  Warren Keller is an excellent example in our church of someone who knows God's purpose and fulfills that purpose with hope even during tough times. 
4. There is a bigger plan than just me and my story. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Gen 50:20.  While I don't believe God intends all the bad things that happen, I do believe He can and does use some tough times to bring about a bigger and better plan for His chosen.  Just ask Jason Petty about God's big plans.

We don't have to look any farther than the Bible lived out by members of Washington Church of Christ to find wisdom, hope, joy, and purpose for our lives.  God gives us but a vapor of time to live life.  Let's live it to His glory!
"Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31b

The Unexpected Find

By now many of you have learned about our geocaching escpades.  What is "geocaching" you might ask?  It is basically a GPS based treasure hunt that anyone with a smart phone can do for free.  We're relatively new to it, but it has roots dating back to a 160 year old game called "Letter Boxing".  The concept is still the same in that we use cardinal directions and instructions to find hidden treasures.

We have a lot of exciting finds in the Geocaches left by community dogooders and organizations. My favorite find so far is a baseball autographed by a little league baseball team in Washington.  When you ask Gabriel and Ethan about their most exciting find they will tell you about one of the three geocaches that we have found inside Washington's Eastside park.  One day we were on a photoshoot and I had G & E hide behind a tree so they were out of sight of the camera.  In all of their curiosity, they spotted a hole in the tree, climbed to get their eyeballs on the hole, and found a geocache logbook inside!  We signed the logbook as "MOA Tribe" and placed it back in the tree.  They were so excited for their first accidental find that we interrupted the photoshoot for our logbook signing and celebratory high fives!

I want to encourage you to break out of your normal studies to put your eyes up to the often overlooked passages of scripture.  Sure, those studies that have you following the directions of a concordance or specific topical path do enlighten you on a specific idea.  Consider also adding a day of the week to your Bible reading program when you simply open to a random book of the Bible to read an entire chapter.  Pick something you haven't studied recently.  Then, when you find that treasure of wisdom or beautiful description of God, share in celebration with others.

You won't find any treasured geoaches if you aren't looking for them.  You won't find the truths of God unless you're looking throughout His Holy Word.  Keep seeking Him in scripture, you'll never know what you might find!

"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." - Proverbs 30:5

"The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him." - Lamentations 3:25

Eight hours before Alabama

Living Lesson: Eight Hours Before Alabama

By: Christopher Wiles

Growing up in Tennessee, you gain extra insight into country music, whether you want it or not.  Months or even years after you've heard some of these catchy tunes they may resurface from your subconscious at some of the strangest moments.

As I woke this morning, the recording hit "I'm in a Hurry" by Alabama came to mind. Here are the lyrics to the chorus:
"Oh I'm in a hurry to get things done

Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why."

While I have some theological differences with this chorus, the lyrics do make a very valuable point.  I'm rushing a bit too much.  For instance, last night was the first night I can remember in a long time when I purposefully set my alarm to get 8 hours of sleep.  That could be because I haven't been getting 8 hours in a while or my sleep deprived memory can't remember even the recent past.

Many of you talk about similar experiences.  I'm convinced this sleep loss cycle comes from bad habits, poor priorities, self-centeredness, and a poor view of God's gifts.  Consider the nature of sleep from the Bible in Psalm 127:2, "It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep."

Did you notice that you are gifted by God in your sleep?  Did you notice that He does this during your sleep because you are His beloved?  Did you notice that hours and hours and hours of regular extra painful toil and work is in vain? 

The country music band Alabama may not know why they are in a hurry, but I do know why I am.  I also know what to do about it.  It's time to (once again) regain control of my schedule according to Biblical principals.  I'm starting by setting my alarm for eight more hours of sleep tonight.  What about you?

Hedrick Family Photos

Last night our family had a great time shooting a few photos of the Hedrick family. We were hoping for 5 solid black and white family photos.  We were blessed with several great shots!  Here's an artsy one I had fun with depicting the sometimes hectic lifestyle of a mom. I'm sure some of you other moms can empathize!

Tool Tips for the Men's Challenge Retreat

I'm grateful for the opportunity to study and grow with the Men's Challenge Retreat!  

Click the photo below to download a .pdf copy of the outline guide we'll be using. 

Click here for .pdf file

Absalom's Demise - 2 Samuel 18-19

Here are a few of the resources we will use for our Wednesday evening Bible Study.

The Big Picture – Context of 2 Samuel 18-19

1001 BC – David & Bathsheba – 2 Sam 11

1000 BC – Nathan Rebukes David – 2 Sam 12

999 BC – Solomon Born – 2 Sam 12:24

999 BC – Amnon & Tamar & Absalom – 2 Sam 13

997 BC – Widow of Tekoa – 2 Sam 14

989 BC – Absalom is brought back – 2 Sam 14:21

985 BC – Absalom’s Conspiracy & David Flees – 2 Sam 15

981 BC – David, Ziba, Shimei – 2 Sam 16

981 BC – Absalom Slain – 2 Sam 18

981 BC – David comforted by Joab 19

979 BC – David’s last song – 2 Sam 23

Questions about the Text

1.      In 2 Samuel 18:4 – Was David’s acquiescence a kingly move or a cowardly decision?  Why or why not?

2.      In 2 Samuel 18:6-7 – Do you think this division between Israel and David’s army foreshadows future separation?  

3.      How was now was Ahithophel’s wisdom in 17:1-14?  How wise was David to plant Hushai in Absalom’s counsel?   

4.      (9) In 2 Sam 15:32-37, what was Hushai’s part and how could he overcome Ahithophel? 

5.      2 Samuel 14:25-26, Absalom’s hair and looks are highly valued.  Did the Lord give Absalom an ironic ending? (10)

6.      Consider the forgiveness and understanding given from David in 2 Samuel 19.  List those who received it.  Would you do the same?

7.      Comment on the respect David gave Barzillai in 2 Samuel 19:31.     

Washington Cruize In

Faces were smiling; arms were waving; candy was flying; cars were cruising.  It was a gorgeous evening in Washington, Indiana as the cruise in passed our spot on Warren and Donna Keller's front lawn.  We had good company all around with church friends and the cars were marvelous works of art.  I was blessed to shoot 332 of the cars (missing around 20 or so as I "helped" with candy and kids).  Contact me if you would like me to send you a high resolution image of your car in the parade. 
Here's the slideshow of all the photos I took. 

 

And here is my fav!  I'm a sucker for '69 camaros since my dad owned one when I was a kid.  Enjoy the photos!

The Comma Johanneum

For those looking for more information on 1 John 5:7-8 as mentioned in my sermon today, you can go to a quick easy reference here:
https://bible.org/article/textual-problem-1-john-57-8

Here is an excerpt from the website:
"This longer reading is found only in eight late manuscripts, four of which have the words in a marginal note.  Most of these manuscripts (2318, 221, and [with minor variations] 61, 88, 429, 629, 636, and 918) originate from the 16th century; the earliest manuscript, codex 221 (10th century), includes the reading in a marginal note which was added sometime after the original composition. Thus, there is no sure evidence of this reading in any Greek manuscript until the 1500s; each such reading was apparently composed after Erasmus’ Greek NT was published in 1516."

Living Lesson: The Air Up There

Remember that 1994 feel good movie staring Kevin Bacon "The Air Up There"?  Back then we thought 10-12 feet was high. 

Today Gabriel, Ethan, and Isaac Moeller were blessed to ride with Dave Schwartz and Jack Miles in our first ever small plane ride.  For the three boys this was a first plane trip experience and for me I learned that riding in a small plane isn't that different than a jumbo jet.  Unless of course your pilot decides to bank a full 90 degrees over your church building to give you a better view.

 We were so high up and could see so much going on in the city below us.  It was amazing for myself and the boys.  We could even see my wife, Ashley, vigorously waving in the yard below us on this grand adventure. There was so much to see and so much going on, we just couldn't take it all in quick enough.  I'm grateful I videotaped and photographed at the same time so I can review it later!

Yet this is what God sees every single day and then some.  How does He keep His brain from 'splodin' as He takes in all the business on the earth below?  I don't know, but I'm grateful to have a God that has it all figured out.  The Air Up There reminded me today of just how great our God is!

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:9

Waiting was worth it.

Washington Church of Christ and my home.

All smiles after our flight!

Living Lessons: Priceless Thoughts

Living Lessons:  Priceless Thoughts
By: Christopher Wiles

Every time I get Micah out of his crib from a long night's sleep or nap, he gives me a smile.  I love that two-toothed grin that opens up as wide as the day is long. There are so many things that I love about all my children and I've often spent time in my head and effort in my hand remembering and recording them.

I love Micah's energy as he's bouncing up and down on his crib mattress.  I love how he plays the bashful game and hides his face sometimes when he sees me.  I love how he tugs on my pant legs wanting to be held high so he can see the world.  I love his blue eyes and blond hair which are signature marks the he is our child.  I love teaching him new things like how to wave and say "Hi".  I love how strong and healthy he is as we put on his 24month clothes at only 9 months of age.  I love how he frequently listens when I tell him "No" pulling back his hand from forbidden objects.

I love the beautiful baby he was.  I love the budding toddler that he is.  I love man that he will one day become.

I don't have to think long and hard to enjoy priceless thoughts about any of my children.  They come easy to a dad here on earth.  I'll wager they come even easier to our Father in heaven.

Read this passage from Psalm 139:17-18a (NIrV) with a new purpose today.  "God, your thoughts about me are priceless.  No one can possibly add them all up.  If I could count them, they would be more than the grains of sand."  As many priceless thoughts as I have about my children, your Father in heaven has a million times more about you.

Take comfort in knowing you do have a father who loves you, knows you, and cares for you today.