2003_09 by Uplook

UPLOOK

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2003

THE TRUTH ABOUT A LIE “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” 2 Corinthians 4:3

A SPECIAL GUIDE TO ASSEMBLY SENIOR RESIDENCES AND CARE OPTIONS

Founded in 1927 as Look on the Fields, UPLOOK is published ten times a year by Uplook Ministries, 813 North Ave., N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Phone: (616) 456-9166 Fax: (616) 456-5522 Website: http://www.uplook.org E-mail: uplook@uplook.org ISSN #1055-2642 Printed in USA. © Copyright 2003 Uplook Ministries UPLOOK magazine is intended to encourage the people of God in fidelity to His Word, fervency in intercessory prayer, labors more abundant, and love to the Lord. Believing in the practical Headship of Christ and the local autonomy of each assembly, this is not intended to be an official organ of any group or federation of local churches. The editor and authors take responsibility for materials published. For any blessing which accrues, to God be the glory. UPLOOK is copyrighted solely for the purpose of maintaining the integrity of the material. It is not intended to limit the proper use of articles contained in the magazine. Please include the words: “UPLOOK magazine, by permission” on photocopies made for personal use. For large quantities or other purposes, contact UPLOOK. Submissions Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with all unsolicited material. News items must be submitted at least two months in advance of issue requested. Selected news items will be carried for two issues (if time permits). The editor reserves the right to determine those items best suited for the magazine. Editorial decisions are final. Photos accepted. Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for photos you wish returned. Postal Information US POSTMASTER: (USPS 620-640) Send address changes to UPLOOK, P. O. Box 2041, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2041 Periodical postage paid at Grand Rapids, MI. CANADIAN POSTMASTER: Send address changes to UPLOOK, P. O. Box 427, St. Catharines, ON L2R 6V9 International Publication Mail Product (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 40020782 BRITISH POSTMASTER: Send address changes to UPLOOK, P. O. Box 1163, Bristol BS39 4YA

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F E AT U R E S QUIET DESPERATION Donald L. Norbie

GUIDE TO SENIOR CARE OPPORTUNITIES A Compilation

THE CARE OF THE ELDERLY Brian Wilson

ONE SISTER’S EXPERIENCE Anne Vanderlaan

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FACTS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Chart

CHOOSING A SENIOR HOME Gerry Croteau

SOME OPTIONS OPEN TO SENIOR SAINTS Selected

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SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS William R. Gustoff

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PAST MERCIES, FUTURE PROMISE Terry Carrick

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THE BIRDS WERE SILENCED Len Webb

REACH FOR A TOWEL Chet Plimpton

THE ART OF COMING DOWN J. B. N., Jr.

D E PA RT M E N TS EDITORIAL FRONT LINES BOOKS: Men of Destiny BOUQUET OF BLESSING: Growing Graceful

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Donation Information: Uplook Ministries is a tax-exempt corporation looking to the Lord to provide for the needs of this ministry. This magazine is sent freely to those who request it, but evidently is not freely produced. Donations may be made by check or money order denominated in US $, Canadian $ or £ sterling. All checks should be made payable to UPLOOK and sent to one of the above addresses. Donations may also be made by VISA, Mastercard/ACCESS or Discover in US dollars, either by mail or at our website: http://www./uplook.org/home/about_us/contributions.html We do not advise sending credit card numbers by e-mail. Please include your card number, expiry date and the amount in US dollars you wish to donate. Receipts are issued for all donations received and are valid for tax purposes in the US and Canada. Making a donation will automatically renew your Uplook subscription.

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THE TRUTH ABOUT A LIE It’s one of the devil’s favorites.

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Sometimes it’s hard to tell when we have believed a lie from the devil and when our own deceitful hearts have tricked us. Of course, Scripture warns us not to excuse ourselves by blaming others for our own misdeeds (see Jas. 1:13-14). But there is no question that the devil “is a liar, and the father of it” (Jn. 8:44), and, with 6000 years of experience, his skills of deception are finely honed. One of the deceiver’s nefarious specialties is stated in 2 Corinthians 4:4: “The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Anyone involved in evangelism hears the lies that he uses, over and over again. “You’re too young; there’s plenty of time to be saved.” “You’re too bad; God doesn’t want someone like you.” “You’re not perfect but you’re better than many people; think of all the good things you have done. God can’t ask for any more than that.” The lies are so predictable, but the devil keeps using them because they work. The apostle also warns that we can be accomplices in keeping people from Christ. Instead of “veiling” the minds of those who do not believe, we can veil the gospel. “But if our gospel be hid (veiled), it is hid to them that are lost” (4:3). And it is just at this point that the devil feeds a lie to God’s people. “There’s no use witnessing today,” he says. “No one is interested in hearing about your God, or trusting in your Jesus.”

I had just returned to the U.S. after twenty-four days in Japan, and was shortly leaving for three weeks in the U.K. I saw no sense in adjusting my body clock twice. So I decided for the few days at home I would rise at 2:30 each morning. In this way I would be ready for a 7:30 AM wake-up call when I arrived in Scotland. Heading for the Uplook office the first morning in Grand Rapids, I stopped at a 24-hour pancake restaurant. It was just 3 AM when I entered. Not surprisingly, I had the place to myself. The waitress, a young lady named Michelle, asked if I worked the night shift. I briefly explained to her my Japan/Scotland schedule. “Do you travel for business?” she inquired. “Yes,” I replied, “but in my business I don’t sell things; I give them away.” With a startled look, she asked, “Are you a missionary?” “Good guess! What do you know about missionaries?” She grew pensive. “Nothing at all, really. My parents were so busy we never went to church. I’ve never owned a Bible. But I know that I need God in my life.” She asked if I minded if she sat down at the table to talk. For thirty minutes we had an uninterrupted conversation about the things of God. I promised to bring her a Bible. She said she would be working there two days later. When I arrived again at 3 AM as I had promised, Michelle was delighted to receive her Bible, surprised that I had returned. But she already had a customer, and so another waitress named Kellee came to serve me. “Michelle has been telling me what you told her the other day,” she said. “May I ask you a question? How do you know when you should speak to someone about God?” I was taken aback by the question, and began giving her a convoluted explanation of the leading of God and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. But I could see from her face that I had completely missed the mark. After a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Well, I was wondering because you were in here some time ago, and I served you, and you never spoke to me about God.” The comment wasn’t meant to sting, but I can still feel the smart. I know that regularly I cross paths with people who want to hear about the Lord. If my feet are “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15), the Lord will use me. God help me not to veil the gospel! J. B. Nicholson, Jr. w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

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Quiet Desperation Life can be good

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us even when it doesn’t seem good

David Henry Thoreau (1817-1862), American essayist, wrote to a friend, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Life often does not turn out as one had hoped. Youthful idealism has this glowing vision of the future, colored with radiant optimism. And then real life comes along! At a 50th high school reunion a woman asked me, “Don, has life been good to you?” No one had ever asked me that before. I had to think a minute. Then I said, “Life has not always been good but the Lord has always been good.” Tragedies may come in life, gut-wrenching heartaches. Your marriage may fall apart. Your spouse confronts you with the words, “I no longer love you. I’ve found someone else; I want a divorce.” It is as if you were kicked in the stomach. Your whole world falls apart. Or your teenage daughter comes home and confesses with tears, “Mom and Dad, I’m pregnant!” And the man has no desire to marry her. After years of faithful service, your employer calls you into his office and announces, “I’m sorry but we’ll have to let you go.” A job that you thought was secure has vanished like the morning mist. Or the doctor tells you quietly, “Your wife has terminal cancer. We can do nothing for her. Take her home and love her.” And you go through the agony of seeing a faithful wife waste away and finally die. No, life is not always good to us. But how do we respond? We may become angry and bitter, angry at God for allowing this to happen. With Job’s wife we may cry out, “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9) We may enter into a deep valley of depression, drowning in the depths of self pity. A lady friend of ours died suddenly at home, a dear Christian. Her husband said, “Well, she has her wish now; she has wanted to die.” Grief over her children had tormented her soul for years. She just wanted to die and to go to be with the Lord. No, life is not always pleasant. Hopefully there will be Christians to rally around you, sustaining you with their love and prayers. They have come to know “the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Cor. 1:3-4). If any part of the human body knows an injury,

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the whole body musters its resources to bring healing. So it should be with the local body of Christians, the assembly. We are exhorted: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). But then ultimately we must turn to God Himself, cry out to Him and cling to Him. David returned to find his home village in smoking ruins, his family and goods plundered. “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him....But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1 Sam. 30:6). Jehovah was his God and he would claim His love, protection and blessing. David could say: “Preserve me, O God, for in you I put my trust” (Ps. 16:1). At times life can be confusing and painful. Asaph wrote: “When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me—until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end” (Ps. 73:16-17). The time comes when one must accept the reality of the tragedy in his life and go on living. Some seek to escape the reality of their lives and withdraw into their own heads and live in a world of fantasy. Such end up in mental hospitals, useless to God and to man. We must face reality and think truthfully (Phil. 4:8). Begin to live for others and forget yourself. Then you will begin to heal from your wounds. There are many lost, hurting people around us. Reach out to them. Your suffering has uniquely equipped you to help others. And remember: One day God will wipe away all tears from our eyes. Our Father will welcome all of His children home and kiss their tears away. Thank God!

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PERSECUTION IN…AUSTRALIA? The anti-Christian opposition in spreading. Use gospel freedom now!

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An Australian court case against two Christians was set to continue today, after the Islamic Council of Victoria broadened its complaint to add not just the speakers at a seminar about Islam, but the entire seminar, including its “style, audience reaction and atmosphere.” Defense attorneys had requested a two-week delay to prepare to face the additional charges, but the judge denied their request. The Islamic Council of Victoria filed a complaint saying that Christians Danny Nalliah and Daniel Scot “vilified Muslims” at a seminar on jihad on March 9, 2002, a violation of Victoria’s “Racial and Religious Toleration Act.” A conviction would likely result in a heavy fine, and could also mean time in jail. Nalliah and Scot were lecturing on the differences between Christianity and Islam, and quoted information about Islam directly from the Koran and other recognized Islamic sources. The two men will not be allowed to argue during their defense whether or not their statements were true, but only on whether or not they incited “hatred against, serious contempt for, or revulsion or severe ridicule” of Muslims. “This case is a wake-up call for Western Christians,” said Voice of the Martyrs spokesman Todd Nettleton. “These men are not on trial for telling lies. They are on trial—in what we would call a free nation—for telling the truth.” Christians around the world are encouraged to pray for justice in the case. Polite letters of protest can be sent to: Ambassador Michael Thawley, Embassy of Australia, 1601 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036-2273 Phone 202-797-3000 Fax 202-797-3168 Email: public.affairs@austemb.org

OAKVILLE BIBLE STUDIES The Oakville (ON) Bible study series for the spring 2004 season continues with the general topic of “Egypt to Canaan.” All studies will be held at Hopedale Bible Chapel, 342 Sherin Dr., Oakville, ON. Registration at 8:30 AM. Studies commence at 9:00 AM, and finish at noon. Speakers and topics still to come: Jan. 17, J. Compte (ON), The Tabernacle; Feb. 21, J. B. Nicholson (MI), Sinai; Mar. 20, R. Amos (NY), Sinai to Kadesh Barnea; Apr. 17, J. Mikhael (ON), Kadesh to Jordan. The Bible Study Program has been receiving requests for tapes of the studies. Tapes will only be sold in sets for a whole study year (i.e., no individual tapes). Funds should be advanced at the time of ordering ($60 CAN to cover the cost of the tapes, study notes and postage. Copies of the tapes from previous

years can be made available immediately upon request, but tapes for the current study year will only be dispatched when the studies close in April 2003. A list of subjects already covered (by study year) can be made available. Send requests (with funds) to: Mr. H.W. Allison 3199 Sovereign Road Burlington, ON L7M 2W1 E-mail: hw.allison@sympatico.ca UPSTATE SC CONFERENCE The Piedmont Christian Fellowship (Pendleton, SC) announces a weekend series of special meetings to be held Saturday, Jan. 17 and Sunday, Jan. 18. The invited speaker is Bill Gustafson (SC) who will address the subject of “New Testament Church Truth.” Particular attention will be devoted to the function of a scriptural assembly and to the family. Meetings on Saturday at 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM and

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3:00 PM and on Sunday at 11:00 AM. Darryl Jachens at 864-646-9273 djachens@netzero.net TIME FOR HOLIDAY The saints at Holiday Gospel Assembly are happy to announce their annual Winter Bible Conference to be held Feb. 20 and 21, 2004 in Holiday, Florida. In the will of the Lord, speakers expected: Mike Attwood (GA) and Roy Hill (England). The theme of the conference will be “Assembly Distinctives.” The conference will convene on Friday evening at 7:30 to 9:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Dinner served at noon on Saturday. For further information: Lee Cappiello at 727-845-4572 Email:elijacap@innet.com ADVANCE PLANNING The 49th Dallas Area Conference

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Attn: Executive Director PO Box 1989 Wrightwood, CA. 92397

is scheduled for April 2-4, Lord willing. Steve Hulshizer (PA) and Alan Parks (SC) will be ministering the Word. The meetings will be held at Wheatland Bible Chapel, 1303 W. Wheatland Road, Duncanville, TX 75116. For information call: John Daniels at 972-424-9889 Email: jandmdaniels@msn.com.

Registered Nurse Pittsboro Christian Village, Pittsboro, NC, has an opening for a Registered Nurse. This person will work with the management of our Assisted Living and Care Unit. We are looking for a believer with a servant attitude. This is a salaried position with benefits. Please pray that God will provide wisdom as we seek to fill this position. If you are interested, please contact Dave Dewhurst: 919-542-3151 Fax: 919-542-5919 E-mail: wddew@juno.com

SERVICE OPPORTUNITY Food Service Manager Verdugo Pines Bible Camp is a 200-bed camp/retreat center located in the Angeles National Forest, at 6200' in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. They host summer and winter camps for local assemblies, as well as weekend retreats for various (Christ honoring) groups from Southern California. They serve 50 to 185 guests on the weekends from September to June, and average about 120 guest each day through the summer. They are currently seeking a couple or small family who can be commended by their local assembly to fill a position as Food & Environmental Services Manager. Duties would include menu planning, ordering and receiving food shipments, safe food preparation and presentation. Food service experience would be helpful; leadership & organization skills are a must! Opportunities are available during the summer to lead in staff devotions and evening Bible studies. We will provide on-site and professional training. This requires individuals who are mature in their faith, enjoy serving others, and work well with people. A salary and a three-bedroom home with paid utilities is provided, along with allowances for gasoline and food. If interested, send resume to: Verdugo Pines Bible Camp

Camp Manager We are asked to pray with the Board of Trustees of Camp Iroquoina as they search for a camp manager. Camp Iroquoina is situated on over 200 acres in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania near Hallstead. They are about 20 minutes from Binghamton, NY. Started by a group of men over 30 years ago with a vision of impacting lives for Christ, the camp continues to do that, with programs that reach every age group throughout the year. If your own personal vision might include Camp Iroquoina, please call or e-mail: Mr. Harry Neil at 609-890-0450 hbwlneil@earthlink.net Office Manager and Public Relations Personnel Christian Mission for the Deaf in Detroit, MI needs two godly workers: an Office Manager and a Public Relations Person. Each should know the Lord and show by daily living his/her commitment to the Lord; and be selfsupported, depending on the Lord •

through the gifts of the Lord’s people. The Office Manager must be able to handle the daily correspondence with donors, deaf schools, and deaf ministries in Africa; know or be willing to learn sign language and deaf culture; prepare the quarterly newsletter and the annual financial report for the IRS and the auditor. If able, he may occasionally do Public Relations on deputation trips and at conferences. If a lady is chosen, she may be available for ladies’ meetings, conferences and retreats. The Public Relations Personnel must become familiar with the ministry of CMD; prepare display boards, video presentations, pamphlets, etc.; prepare schedule for talks about CMD in assemblies, at conferences, etc. If a woman is chosen, she may be available for ladies’ meetings, retreats, conferences, etc. More information about CMD is found at: www.cmdeaf.org Send testimony and resume to: CMD P.O. Box 28005 Detroit, MI 48228-0005 mail to: cmd@cmdeaf COMMENDATIONS Scott and Lynn Degroff We have been informed of the commendation of Scott and Lynn Degroff to the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. Scott is employed in full-time secular work and has been active in the local assembly and surrounding meetings ministering God's Word. Their desire is to be used by the Lord for the Lord’s people as He leads them. The elders and saints of Topeka (KS) Gospel Chapel commend them to the grace of God for His leading as to where He will be pleased to use them.

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HELP NEEDED IN THE GASPE Uplook recently received this communication: “We continue to be encouraged with the Lord’s work here at the New Carlisle (QC) Bible Chapel. We are hoping and praying in the will of the Lord, that He would send someone to come and teach the Word and preach the gospel, and serve the Lord in this area. If exercised, please contact: Francis Flowers at 418-752-2142 23 Craig St., Box 307 New Carlisle Quebec G0C 1Z0 Dr. Karen McClean The assembly of Christians meeting at Fairhaven Bible Chapel, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is pleased to commend to the work of the Lord in Zambia, Dr. Karen McClean. Dr. McClean is a highly qualified physician. For several years she has spent part of each year in Zambia serving the Lord and the Zambian people with her medical skills. In Zambia she works closely with other commended workers and in warm fellowship with Zambian Christians and assemblies. It is Dr.

McClean’s desire to continue her service in Zambia and the assembly is happy to commend her to the Lord’s work there. Rebecca Hartford The believers who meet at New Liskeard and Elk Lake (ON) count it a joy to heartily commend Rebecca Hartford to the work at Immanuel Mission School in Teec Nos Pos, AZ. Rebecca has been serving among the Navajo people as a teacher at the School since 2001 and intends to continue in this work as the Lord leads. Milo and Gladys Vande Krol The believers at Bethany Bible Chapel, in Cedar Falls, IA, wish to announce their commendation of brother Milo Vande Krol and his wife Gladys to the continuation of his work of itinerant ministry and with various Bible camps. The Vande Krols have recently moved to nearby Waterloo. Originally commended in 1957 by the assembly in Eddyville, IA, they have served the Lord for more than 40 years in assembly planting, literature work, camp ministry and Bible teaching. PRAISE HYMN BOOKS There are approximately 115

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PRAISE! Hymnbooks available, compiled by John W. Peterson & Norman Johnson, published by Singspiration. They are free, however postage would be required. Jim Comte at 705-726-1187 HOME FOR SALE A 5-bedroom Cape Cod style house is for sale on the grounds of the Greenwood Hills Bible conference grounds, Fayetteville, PA. For more information, call: 1-800-296-3323, code #3258 website: www.lanethrush.com HOMECALL William J. Troppman Sr. On September 19, the Lord called William Troppman Home after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 86 years of age. The Troppmans first came into assembly fellowship at Beechwood Bible Chapel in Pittsburgh in 1961. Twelve years later they moved to Neptune, NJ, where he worked with Loizeaux Brothers for five years. In 1978 the Troppmans moved to Salamanca, NY to work with Camp LiLo-Li. His latter years were spent in fellowship with the saints at the North Atlanta (GA) assembly. Please remember his family in prayer.

REACHING ARABS IN DETROIT Over 25 million Arab and Muslims live in the Western world. In their native countries it has become dangerous and almost impossible to reach them for Christ. However, many have come to live in our midst! Brother Ata G. Mikhael of International Outreach Ministry broadcasts radio programs in the Arabic language over WNZK 690 AM, reaching the Greater Detroit and Windsor, Canada area. This constitutes the largest concentration of Arab people outside the Middle East. As there is limited programming in the Arabic language, this station has a wide listening audience among Arabic people (half a million). Brother Ata’s desire is to expand these broadcasts to many other cities to share the gospel with Arab and Muslim people. International Outreach Ministry also offers a variety of printed materials that will help educate you and prepare you for better serving and ministering to Arabs and Muslims. You may contact International Outreach Ministry at: P.O. Box 445, Hazel Park, MI 48030 w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

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BO OKS K E V I N

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Men of Destiny A dozen biographies in one by Peter Masters

felt compelled to confess his guilt to the authorities. Men of Destiny is a compilation of twelve biographies Soon he did so and was sentenced to 25 years in covering men of God from a variety of walks of life. the federal prison with the first two years to be served The subjects covered by Masters includes: Sir James in solitary confinement. His days in prison were spent Simpson, the discoverer of chloroform; General grieving over the innocent people who had been hurt William Dobbie, the defender of Malta; Tsar Alexanby his schemes. He turned once more to the Scriptures der of Russia; John Newton, the slave trader; and variwhich he had earlier discarded. He soon realized that ous others. Each mini-biography (all are under 15 the picture of Christianity portrayed in the New Testapages in length) testifies to God’s grace in salvation ment was far different from that of the Roman Catholiand in the believer’s life cism with which he was familiar. He began to pray to One of the more unusual stories is that of Alvin God for understanding and a short while later a British Reis. Born and raised in Portugal around the turn of the missionary sent him a package 20th century, he made his way of tracts. A correspondence to the colony of Angola with a began and in a short time Reis forged engineering degree in his came to faith in Christ. pocket. By the time he was 23, Men’s greatest He immediately began to he had become the colony’s top discoveries are in witness for Christ in the prison scientific civil servant and the field of grace. and had a fruitful ministry director of the railway system. there for the remaining years of Driven by greed and sensuhis sentence. Upon his release, al lust, he lived a debauched life he continued to minister and while working towards his goal preach in Lisbon among the of becoming a millionaire. As a evangelical churches until his result of a fraudulent business death in 1955. deal, he found himself in a Men of Destiny is a book damp, dark Portuguese prison. bound to encourage and thrill While there he hatched a the heart. As well, the material scheme for a far greater fraud. is presented in such a way that He sold all he had to raise bail the book is a useful evangelismoney and to bribe authorities tic tool, appropriate for giving to dismiss the charges. Once out to someone who might quesof prison he proceeded over a tion whether any “famous” course of several years to fraudpeople are Christians. ulently obtain millions of dollars’ worth of forged Portuguese bank notes. He almost succeeded in taking control of the Bank of Portugal and when he was finally found out, the government was nearly overthrown. Publisher: Wakeman Trust © 1968 He was imprisoned and an unsuccessful suicide ISBN: 187-085-5035 attempt brought him to a prison hospital where anothPrice: $9.99 er inmate read to him from the Scriptures. His curiosity led him to read them for himself with the effect that, Binding: Paper, 172 pages even as he began working on more forged documents to try to spread the blame for his crimes on others, he

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YOUR GUIDE TO

ASSEMBLY SENIOR RESIDENCES

& CARE OPTIONS

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Uplook

GUIDE TO SENIOR CARE OPPORTUNITIES

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B R I A N

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The Care of the Elderly Doing good…especially to the household of faith

The special guide in this issue of Uplook focuses on the various ministries God has raised up throughout North America to assist families in providing care to seniors. As Administrator of one of the oldest facilities in the U.S. it sometimes comes as a surprise to people that I don’t recommend everyone should go into a Long Term Care setting. We are certainly thankful that over the years God has put it into the heart of godly men and women to lay the foundations for the thriving ministries we see today. However, even the worldling knows “there’s no place like home!” We are thankful for every saint who has quietly and patiently accepted the challenge of opening their home for Mom or Dad. Consider some challenges they face: 1. The cost associated with creating a handicapped accessible home. 2. The disruption to life’s normal routine. 3. The physical and emotional drain of providing care 24/7, very often without support or relief. Despite the challenges, the rewards are self-evident and we certainly want to acknowledge those who are lovingly taking up the challenge. God’s Word lays a solid foundation, teaching how we as individuals and the church are to interact and respond to our seniors. Through example and through explicit teaching, we can derive a clear impression of what is intended by God as far as our relationship to the elderly is concerned. Our relationship with our own parents is a measure of how we

will treat all our elders and authorities. Paul would remind the Ephesian believers, “Honor thy father and mother, (which is the first commandment with promise).” Of course the circle of the aged with whom we interact extends well outside the family bonds. Paul, writing to Timothy, expands the teaching to include all elderly and addresses specifically the different ways in which widows without family and widows with family should be treated (see 1 Tim. 5). “Rebuke not an elder…[entreat] the elder women as mothers.” Again we see that the way we treat our parents is pivotal to how we will treat all seniors in our circle of influence. As we search for examples, we can find none greater than our Lord Himself. Remember that even in His anguish and suffering at Calvary His mind turned to that lowly woman who had borne His earthly body for nine months. As He entrusted her care into the capable hands of one of His dearest friends and closest confidants, we hear Him say to Mary, “Woman, behold thy son” and E

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families whose circumstances make it unwise or impossible to provide the care in their own home. Let us draw alongside those in our assemblies who have embraced the challenge and may suffer discouragement, isolation and frustration. “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ”

then to John, “Behold thy mother.” Those who are entrusted with this type of relationship are granted a high honor and awesome responsibility. Let us pray for these who, like John, are taking on the role of being son or daughter to the fathers and mothers of others. Let us support and encourage those

One Sister’s Experience A N N E

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After nearly fifty years of life in India it was a startling and radical culture shock to return to life in America. It was a rude awakening following a completely different life in another culture. For a long time, I felt totally out of place. It was as if I did not belong. The first few months were spent with relatives who were kindness itself to me, but I felt a sense of unrest and instability. I just did not belong. Through the thoughtful interest of a friend I was introduced to a Home for senior citizens, a Home with a warm Christian atmosphere. The matter of coming here to be a part of this Home was made, and the Lord seemed to assure me it was the correct move. The Lord caused me to realize that I do not have to altogether see the way ahead immediately, but rather trust the One who is the Way. The Care Home complex proved to be a delightful family of friends who warmly welcomed a newcomer. In a comparatively short time I began to feel I did belong, and gladly accepted this as God’s will for me. The family spirit here is exhilarating S

as almost everyone is aware of the needs of others, and willing hands are prepared to share the problems of others. Unexpected illnesses and other infirmities are part of life, but especially of seniors. However, here others share the problems and are there to comfort and encourage in practical and loving ways. Also, there are the many activities everyone can participate in and enjoy together. The love of God is clearly manifested in the warm family spirit that exists among all who make the Home their home. Each one here realizes that we have an influence on others to encourage and assist as the Lord directs. To serve others in love is a service for the Lord. Remembering that our days on the earth are limited, there is a sense of urgency in our daily living. The Lord is coming soon and we anticipate the great joy of being Home with Him forever. Then we shall really belong. We thank Him for His constant loving care and provision of a God-honoring Home here and now, as well as eternal life with Christ. S

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Choosing a Senior Home It’s up to you.

possible decision about Senior Housing placement. There are three simple steps we might follow: 1. Establish your care needs 2. Evaluate your options 3. Expedite your decision Let’s take a closer look at each one and how it can assist us in arriving at a decision.

In those last moments on the cross, the Lord said to His disciple John, “Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home” (Jn. 19:27). With those words Mary was provided for, in a Christian home. I believe the Lord set an example for us that, when possible, a Christian senior’s home is the ideal place for His people when they can no longer care for themselves or have family that cannot meet their care needs. As an administrator of a Christian not-forprofit Care Home for over seven years, I have interviewed and counseled many families on placement in a Long Term Care setting. Most often the need for placement was urgent or imminent. It has rarely been part of a longterm plan for future needs. This article may offer some avenues of approach to assist you to begin making preparation toward a future

1. Establish your care needs Needs are different than desires and we should not confuse the two. The need aspect is determined by your physical functioning, financial circumstances and social supports such as family availability, but also including seeking an environment that is conducive to spiritual nourishment. The desire aspect is what may appeal to you. The idea of how yourself or others might perceive a certain setting. “What would people think if I lived in this or that facility?” Or, the “image” of an upscale facility compared to the more humble surroundings of an older home. Ultimately, a decision based on desire may result in unhappy circumstances for you, your family members and your circle of friends. 2. Evaluate your options There are many different types of providers in the

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ing for supervising medications and a degree of personal care to assist with the activities of daily living. These facilities are not generally subsidized by government programs. Assisted Living: These are facilities that provide for those who are frail and require supervision. Assistance may be available for dressing, bathing and frequent assistance with the activities of daily living. These may or may not be subsidized by government programs. Long Term Care Homes/Nursing Homes: These homes are for those who are not able to live independently and require 24-hour nursing care. Most of these homes will qualify for government subsidy, but since not all Homes participate, it is always best to inquire before moving in. 3. Expedite Your Decision Once you have determined your needs and assessed your options with family and friends it is time to put into place your decision. Start with visits to facilities by prearranging each visit. Make appointments with the Admissions Director or Care Manager as this will enable a smooth and productive visit. Remember to ask questions and take notes. It is also advisable to bring a family member or a friend. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be shy about interviewing residents who are already living in the facility. Hearing their perspective first hand may allow an insight you may otherwise not have. Inquire if the facility is part of an association and is it accredited or licensed. In other words what are their standards as to care levels, health and safety features, and nursing for example. Finally, ask about trial periods, lease agreements or any type of contract that you may be asked to sign.

realm of senior care. They include: CCRC: This acronym stands for Continuing Care Retirement Community and describes an organization where one can enter as a generally independent senior with some written assurance of continuing care through the remainder of your natural life, despite changes in your health status. Hospice Care: This can be provided in the home or a facility. It aims to improve the quality of life and relieve suffering for terminal patients. Community Support Services/In Home Care: These services allow you to remain in your home in a comfortable and safe manner. The services can include nursing care, therapies, meal preparation and homemaking. Retirement or Care Homes: These homes provide accommodation in a residential setting. Their care will vary, and may include meals, laundry, housekeeping and 24-hour staffing. In some case there are levels of nursS

Rememberâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up to you. S

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Some Options Open to Senior Saints in North America For more information, contact: Ted Grant, Administrator Bethesda Christian Retirement Center 22427 Montgomery Street Hayward, CA 94541 Phone 510-538-8300 Fax 510-538-8443

BETHESDA CHRISTIAN RETIREMENT CENTER Bethesda Christian Retirement Center has been providing care to believers and retired commended workers and missionaries for over thirty years. We are fully licensed and work with government programs available for medical and financial assistance of residents. A small assembly meets at Bethesda each Sunday morning for breaking of bread. Bible study and prayer meeting are a vital part of our weekly activities. Bethesda is located in the moderate climate of the Northern California Bay Area, with average temperatures from the 50s in winter to the 70s in summer. Situated adjacent to the downtown area of Hayward, it’s only two blocks to shopping and public transportation. Bethesda residents are provided with comfortable accommodations including cheerful residential housing for independent seniors, assisted living units for those in need of assistance, and a skilled nursing section providing twenty-four hour nursing care.

BLENHEIM LODGE Our care facility, Blenheim Lodge, has 109 intermediate care beds and is situated on its own triangular block in the upscale Dunbar residential area of Vancouver. Located on a North-slope, we overlook the greenery of Kitsilano, the buildings of downtown Vancouver, and the forests of the North Shore mountains. Over 40% of the staff have worked at the Lodge for more than 10 years—some for over 30 years—providing “Quality Care in a Christian Setting.” Surrounding chapels visit each Sunday to lead worship and Bible study, and some residents and staff take turns bringing a Bible thought each breakfast and grace before each meal. For further information: Derek Morton, Administrator Blenheim Lodge 3263 Blenheim Street Vancouver, BC V6L 2X7 Phone 604-732-8717 Fax 604-732-7316 Email Derek.Blenheim@telus.net CONNAUGHT HOME Connaught Home is nestled against the shores overlooking Lake Massawippi in the

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Nutritious homestyle meals are served in our comfortable dining room with particular attention to variety and special diets. For further information, contact: Richard F. Tracy, Executive Director Connaught Home 77 rue Main North Hatley, QC J0B 2C0 Phone 819-847-7164 Fax 819-841-7661 Email massawippi@videotron.ca

picturesque village of North Hatley. Built at the turn of the century as a stately family home, Connaught Home is now a private Christian retirement home which can accommodate 40 residents on three floors with elevator service and a fully secure infirmary. Most rooms have a private bathroom. Many of the rooms are decorated in the warmth and charm of a bygone era. Our hospitality is unmatched and the individual care given to each resident is personalized and complete.

NOTE: Only those ministries that sent material are included in this Guide. Other ministries for seniors associated with assemblies of believers may be found in the greater Toronto area, Port Colborne, ON, and North Augusta, SC, to name some. S

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GRACE CHRISTIAN HOME Located on the outskirts of Lennoxville in a pastoral setting overlooking the hills of the Massawippi River Valley, Grace Christian Home offers country charm in a relaxed community atmosphere. With 50 beds in the main building, four semi-detached units and three private cottages, we can offer accommodation to independent seniors and those who need more assistance, including a secure infirmary. Long term care under the supervision of licensed staff is available in our wellequipped infirmary. Regular entertainment, activities, and outings ensure a friendly homelike environment. Our hospitality is unmatched and the individual care given to each resident is personalized and complete. Nutritious home-style meals arc served in our comfortable dining room, with particular attention to variety and special diets. Huntingville Community Church is right next door and offers regular services and activities. For more information: Richard F. Tracy, Executive Director Grace Christian Home 1501 rue Campbell Lennoxville, QC J1M 2A3 Phone 819-569-0546 Fax 819-569-3829 Email massawippi@videotron.ca

ELIM HOMES Elim Homes, situated on beautiful Georgian Bay, has for almost 60 years, served the Lord’s people and others who may be out of the way. Special attention to detail and personal care planning makes Elim of particular interest to the Lord’s people who desire and want to maintain assembly contact and fellowship. For further information, contact: G. L. Croteau Elim Homes PO Box 10 Waubaushene, ON L0K 2C0 Phone 705-538-2231 Fax 705-538-0562 EL-NATHAN HOME El-Nathan Home is located in the picturesque foothills of the Ozark Mountains in the southeast area of the state of Missouri, 100 miles west of Cape Girardeau and the Mississippi River. High on a ridge overlooking the city of Marble Hill, it is surrounded by 30 acres of lawn and woodland which afford quiet privacy. The 20 resident rooms of the home are all single occupancy, giving complete privacy. Each room has a private half bath. Basic medical and first aid care, including supervision of medications, is provided by a staff of certified technicians supervised by the staff registered nurse. Transportation, if needed, is available to keep local doctor’s appointments, etc. For more information, contact: Superintendent El-Nathan Home, Inc. 205 El-Nathan Drive Marble Hill, MO 63764-0229 Phone 573-238-2869 Fax 573-238-2345 Email elnathanhome@aol.com x

LIGHT-HAVEN HOME Light-Haven is a Christian Home for Seniors and is not a nursing home. We do not have nurses on duty, although medical assistance is available when required. The home is staffed on a 24-hour basis, so there is always a staff member available to attend to your needs. Light-Haven Home Inc. offers the following features and amenities: Whirlpool tub and lift chair, single rooms each with four-piece bathrooms, home E

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PARK OF THE PALMS Park of the Palms is situated on twenty-two acres of beautifully landscaped campus fronting on Lake Brooklyn in north Florida. Located about half a mile west of Keystone Heights on State Road 100, Park of the Palms has modern facilities for independent living,

Care Center. This is a 44-bed nursing home providing 24-hour health care services with a licensed nurse on every shift. Linn Manor Care Center has been in operation in Marion, Iowa, since 1979. The Gospel Hall Assemblies of Christians, who gather in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, built the home. Service is provided primarily for members. During times of low census, for those who would appreciate a conservative Christian atmosphere, opportunity for occupancy is given to people from the community. One- and two-bedroom apartments, for independent or limited assistance, are located across the street on Elim Drive. Construction E

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PARKDALE MANOR Parkdale Manor, less than one mile from Blenheim Lodge, offers newly rebuilt oneand two-bedroom apartments for independent seniors. A pastoral care worker coordinates some social events and home support is available from community workers. For more information, contact: Alan Clarke Parkdale Manor 4425 Trafalgar Street Vancouver, BC V6L 2M7 Phone 604-737-1125

LINN MANOR CARE CENTER Grand Haven Homes Inc. is a non-profit organization doing business as Linn Manor

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for more units is planned. For additional information, write or call: Grant Hagen Linn Manor Care Center 1140 Elim Drive Marion, IA 52302-5899 Phone 319-377-4611 Fax 319-377-4612 Email: linnmanor@juno.com

cooked meals, individual heat control in rooms, laundry services and housekeeping provided, hair dressing salon, call button in each room, cable TV and phones available, close to shops, bank and post office. For information contact: Light-Haven Home Inc. PO Box 87, Bruce Mines, ON P0R 1C0 Phone/Fax 705-785-9975 Website www.lighthavenhome.com

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and for personally assisted living the year round. Recreational facilities are available to both permanent residents and guests at Bible Conferences scheduled throughout the year. The North Florida location enjoys moderate weather during both summer and winter. Leave your snow shovel at home! Delectable meals for residents and guests are daily featured in our spacious glass dining room overlooking the lake. Special facilities are available for those needing assisted care. Write or call: Park of the Palms 706 Palms Circle Keystone Heights, FL 32656-8016 Phone 352-473-4926 Fax 352-473-6113

belonging. It could be just the place youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been looking for to meet your needs for an enjoyable, dignified retirement. Contact: Dave Dewhurst Pittsboro Christian Village, Inc. 1825 East Street Pittsboro NC 21312 Phone 919-542-3151 Fax 919-542-5919 WESTERN ASSEMBLIES HOME The Western Assemblies Home is a unique place for elderly saints to live. It is first and foremost a Christ-filled Home and all residents have at some time in their life fellowshipped in a Brethren Assembly. Accommodations are provided in the main building consisting of one or two rooms. If more independent living is desired, the residents can enjoy the comforts of a cottage within walking distance of the Home. All residents in the main building or cottages enjoy the same benefits: Christian living, three meals a day, laundry and cleaning. The Claremont Bible Chapel is located one block away. The weather in Southern California is conducive to spending time outside, walking, gardening, etc. The village of Claremont is only 5 blocks away for shopping and visiting the library. All the residents can enjoy the activities of the Home, entertainment with videos, exercise classes, hand painting and Bible studies. Do come, visit for a week, and try us out. We know you will enjoy your time spent here. For more information, contact: Lynn Hughes, Administrator Western Assemblies Home 350 Berkeley Avenue, Claremont CA 91711 Phone 909-626-3711 Fax 909-626-4493

PITTSBORO CHRISTIAN VILLAGE Pittsboro Christian Village is located in the historical Piedmont section of beautiful North

Carolina. The Village is just the place for the retiring adult who desires the right combination of solitude, programmed activity, warm friendship, assembly fellowship and convenience. Nearby Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill provide city luxuries, while the small town of Pittsboro is rich with culture. The hometown, neighborly feel of the Village gives residents a sense of safety, security, and xii

Step by Step: The Path of Faith The Testimony of Rest Haven Homes he story of Rest Haven is a tapestry, interwoven with prayers and praises, trials, testing, and tears, along with a multitude of thanksgivings. At the start just two dear sisters were provided with necessary care and shelter. In 1943, the Lord led Grace Pell to become more involved in the work of Rest Haven Homes, Inc. Though deeply involved in Christian literature printing and distribution, Grace had been a regular visitor and prayer partner with the couple first entrusted with the care of those at Rest Haven. Some nine years earlier, Grace had visited Sister Abigail Townsend at the El-Nathan Home. Sister Abigail had challenged Grace to pray about getting involved in such a ministry. Now, she stepped out in faith to assume full responsibility of the work. Her trust was wholly in the Lord to provide for both her own needs and for the needs of Rest Haven. She was confident that where God guides, He provides. The ensuing years saw God's rich blessing. It became necessary to move from one home to another. Finally, in 1963, the first building was completed at the present location. The Lord has enlarged our borders and today our campus includes forty-eight apartments for independent living; the home for the aged, licensed to serve 49; and the nursing wing, licensed to serve 25. We depend on a kind staff of over 70 and many countless volunteer hours.

The one outstanding characteristic of Rest Haven is fellowship with like-minded believers. Many of our residents have spent their Christian lives gathered with other believers with the Lord Jesus Christ as their center. There are other dear Christians at Rest Haven and all share a common love for the Lord Jesus Christ. All our meals begin with prayer and a reading of Scripture. Tuesdays, our ladies and men have separate Bible studies. Sometimes guest missionary speakers will visit and speak at the studies. Wednesday evenings, the Rest Haven bus takes able residents to one of the three local assemblies for the weekly prayer meeting. Sunday morning the Rest Haven bus takes any interested and able saints over to the local assembly where they can remember the Lord. For those who cannot get out, we have a Remembrance Meeting in the Home every Sunday afternoon. Sunday evening we gather around the piano to wind down the day with songs of worship and praise. Often local Christians from the nearby assemblies come and join us. Friday evening too the Home is alive with songs of praise as friends come to join us for a singspiration. You are invited to come and find your place with us. Contact: Brian Wilson Rest Haven Homes, Inc. 1424 Union NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505 Phone 616-363-6819 Fax 616-363-1658 Email resthavenhomes@yahoo.com Website www.resthavenhomes.org

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Secular Decisions with Spiritual Implications

attorney for health care. Executing powers of attorney is a very simple planning step, but failure to take it has caused major problems and incurred significant costs for the estates of many. If you fail to execute a power of attorney indicating the person or persons to make property and health care decisions for you in the event of disability, all such decisions will have to be made by a guardian appointed by the state. Assuming there is no dispute of disability, the process sounds deceptively simple: (i) an interested party files a petition alleging you are disabled and that a guardian should be appointed; (ii) the court appoints an attorney to represent you (to ensure nobody is taking advantage of you); (iii) a hearing is held to determine competency; and (iv) a guardian is appointed by the court. This is an intentional oversimplification of the process, and if there are any disputes over your disability or over who should be appointed to act as guardian, the process becomes very quickly complicated and expensive, not to mention humiliating by making your competency part of a public court proceeding. In the end, all of the bills for the attorneys, doctors, and others involved are paid from your assets. In addition, you will not likely have input into who the court appoints to act

Many estate planning decisions confront an elderly person. These issues are not limited to the elderly or to those moving into an assisted living or full care facility. In fact, prudent planning requires that we consider them long before such a time. Human nature being what it is, however, important planning matters are often left until later in life, and they take on particular urgency when facing life-changing decisions, such as moving into an assisted living or full care facility. On the surface, many of these decisions would appear to have only secular significance, and I have heard the excuse offered more than once that engaging in too much planning amounts to becoming â&#x20AC;&#x153;entangled in the cares of this world.â&#x20AC;? I would submit that many of these seemingly secular decisions carry very significant spiritual consequencesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;particularly for a good steward of the Lord Jesus Christ. Exercising good stewardship is the premise underlying this article, and it will briefly discuss one of the issues we all need to resolve sooner rather than later. Perhaps the most urgent estate planning issue to settle is that of naming someone to make asset and health care decisions for you in the event you become unable to do so. This is generally accomplished by executing a power of attorney for property and a power of

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appoint his sons, but he did. What was the result? It was disaster for Eli’s house (ch. 4). Likewise, who we select to make decisions on our behalf for property or health care matters will reflect on our stewardship, both before the Lord and as a witness to the world around us. Without proper planning, someone appointed by a judge may make life and death decisions you would never have made. They will be deciding how your assets are to be used, and such assets may be put to ungodly uses without your knowledge or consent. Powers of attorney are really the simplest and first step for planning in a way that becomes a good steward of the Lord. Many attorneys and others are capable of giving you the technical counsel needed to make sure minimal planning needs are met. But I would urge you to seek godly counsel in making even the simplest of estate planning decisions. Proverb 1:1 tells us, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly…” Godly counsel comes only from God’s people. Believers Stewardship Services and other Christian organizations exist to provide godly counsel to Christians as they seek to fulfill their responsibilities of sound stewardship in this area of life.

as your guardian. Simple powers of attorney, which generally are inexpensive and easily executed, name the person or persons you wish to make decisions for you and will usually avoid the need for a guardianship. Combined with other prudent planning, such as a revocable living trust, powers of attorney can provide an effective protection against the complications, expense, and humiliation of a guardianship proceeding. Even if guardianship is required, some states’ statutory powers of attorney designate the agent named in that document to be appointed as guardian. Even if your state’s form does not provide for appointment of the agent to act as guardian, you have at least taken steps to indicate your wishes to the appointing judge. Why would this have any spiritual significance? First, just as the Lord has entrusted certain assets to our stewardship, we need to take the steps to ensure we appoint prudent stewards to act in our stead. More often than not, one or more family members make for a good choice to act as guardian; but that is not always the case. Eli entrusted his keep (i.e., ministering as a priest before the Lord) to his two sons, which would have been expected under the custom of the day (1 Sam. 2). The Lord’s rebuke of Eli in chapters 2 and 3 would indicate that Eli was not constrained to

William R. Gustoff is General Counsel serving with Believers Stewardship Services, Inc.

2250 Chaney Road Dubuque, IA 52001-2913 Phone 888-338-7810 Website www.believerstewardship.org The BSS Team (l. to r.): Andrew C. Tuecke, David M. Allison, Lorraine Allison, and William R. Gustoff. S

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Past Mercies; Future Promise The heritage and vision of Sister Abigail continues.

ple. The Village has added independent homes as well as a care unit. Linn Manor Care Center (Marion, IA) opened its doors in August 1979 to care for the aged saints of the assemblies in the northeast Iowa area. Tracing the varied roots of our assembly homes has been heart-warming. For over a hundred years assemblies have been faithfully ministering to the needs of their elder saints and we are saddened at the closing of long-established ministries in recent years. Time and space does not allow us to recount all the stories of how the Lord has met the needs of each ministry. We will never know all the ways that residents and families have been blessed, nor the impact in the hearts and lives of staff members who labored in the work. Our concern is the future of these assembly ministries. There are great challenges. As the availability and selection of quality senior care options has increased, some homes have seen a decrease in the number of assembly believers who are willing to travel to live in an assembly setting. Another challenge faced by many homes is a shortage of help. Many young people used to happily sacrifice worldly wealth and fame to serve in our assembly homes. Now more than ever, the glamour and glitter of material accumulations distracts the believer and there are fewer willing to take the lowly path of service. The increase in regulations has placed a burden on our Homes and their leaders need wisdom in not only meeting these legislative demands but even exceeding them. Lastly, each ministry has those who are supported by benevolent funds. As the costs of care have increased, many Homes have experienced an increased demand on their subsidy funds. In all of these challenges the prayers and exercise of God’s people is needed. Unknown to Sister Abigail, the modern assembly long-term-care movement first stirred in her heart. One of her guiding principles was: “Look to God alone for every need and believe in faith that He will answer.” May each of our Homes find the same guiding principle leading us into the unchartered waters ahead.

It was in November of 1901 when Abigail Townsend Luffe arrived in Buffalo, New York from England. Within days she had involved herself in caring for the physical and spiritual needs of those less fortunate. Later, as one might expect, Sister Abigail’s apartment could not squeeze in another soul in need. Feeling led to “enlarge the place of [her] tent” Mrs. Luffe was led to purchase a large home on North Circle in Buffalo; the work became known as El-Nathan. Having been moved to Marble Hill, Missouri, the work continues to minister to the needs of elderly believers. During the 1940’s there was a stirring across North America as several assembly Homes were born. In 1936, Sister Abigail challenged Grace Pell to begin a similar work in Michigan. In 1940, a work was begun near Grand Rapids to meet the needs of some believers whose only alternative seemed the “poor farm.” Rest Haven Homes was incorporated 1941. Western Assemblies Home was established in Claremont, California in 1943 to meet the need of retiring assembly missionaries who were without a home or lodging. Later their vision enlarged to serve all believers who, at some point in their lives, fellowshipped in a gospel hall or chapel. Elim Homes, (near Midland, ON) was born in 1945 as a result of five brethren seeking the Lord’s guidance how to provide security, shelter and love for elderly persons. They opened with the admission of three sisters. Connaught Homes in Quebec was begun to serve believers in 1957. Today their vision has expanded to serve any in need of long-term care. Then during the 1970’s the assemblies saw another stirring as several more homes opened. Bethesda Home (Hayward, CA) grew from a board and care home which an assembly had begun. In 1972, as care needs increased, other assemblies prayerfully and financially worked together to build a home. Bethesda’s main purpose was caring for full-time workers. Pittsboro Christian Village in North Carolina was originally a children’s home. In 1972 the work transitioned into a retirement home where the necessities of life are met as well as the fellowship needs of the Lord’s peo-

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The Birds were Silenced And so was I!

I was born into a large Catholic family in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada in 1954. My parents had twelve children. I had three older brothers and two sisters who were already married or living on their own. The other four boys and three girls lived with our parents in a four-bedroom house. Needless to say, time management and self-control were lessons I learned quickly—since there was only one bathroom! My mom and dad were good, hard-working people who were well-liked by the whole neighborhood. My dad always had time to help others, even when it meant sacrifice on his part. Mom was like a general and kept everything going. But their top priority was getting us to the Catholic Church every Sunday. Being raised in this religious system, I developed a great respect for our priests. They were God’s “middle men” in my mind. They were the only ones who read from the Bible. Our family did have a Bible that was about a foot thick but no one ever opened it except to insert death or wedding announcements. I also thought highly of the priests because they would make house calls with the doctor if anyone in our family was sick. The doctor would give us a needle or a prescription and the priest would “bless” the sick one and the house. I also believed that the local priests took care of all our spiritual needs in God’s sight. Their relationship with God was like a blanket insurance policy that covered all the members of the church. Since the priest seemed to have the “God Department” taken care of for me, I figured the only thing left for me to do was lead a good life. To me, this meant being kind to others, not breaking any of the commandments (which at one time I thought was possible), doing good things in the community, and making sure to go to confession at least every two weeks in case I slipped up. So this was my life. I put confidence in my priests and lived in a way that I was sure God would approve of. Yet, down deep, I knew there was something just not right. I eventually married my wife, Shirley, in 1975. As time went on, I learned that some people actually did read their Bibles. Shirley had a Bible and read it. I tried reading hers but it made no sense to me at that time. w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

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Shirley encouraged me to go to a chapel she attended with her mother. So I did—as the chauffeur. I dropped the two ladies off and picked them up. That’s as close as I got to her ‘church.’ As time went on, we discovered that we would have no biological children. So we decided to become foster parents. One thing I always believed was that children should be taken to church so that they could learn about God. But this belief backfired on me: If I felt so strongly about the children learning about God, then why didn’t I go in too? And so my wife convinced me to get out of the parking lot and into the chapel. I sat during the meetings and listened to the messages. Usually on the way home, my wife would ask me what I thought about the meeting. I remember my answers being about the same each time. “It was good but…why do they always talk directly to me when they give their message?” She would always just smile. I was sure this was some kind of conspiracy to make me one of “them”—you know, someone who actually reads his own Bible. But it didn’t take long before I was arranging rides to Sunday School for the kids or just dropping them off again. My biggest concern was that I might become one of “them.” So I came up with a list of excuses why I didn’t go. When my mother-in-law passed away, my wife asked me to go with her every Sunday. Realizing what she was going through after her mother’s passing, I started going with her to the eleven o’clock meeting, the Family Bible Hour. There was one speaker who always gave me the sense that not only was he talking right to me but he genuinely cared about me. His name was Mr. Boyd

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Nicholson. One Sunday, Boyd asked me if he and his son Jabe could come over that evening to have a talk. My mind said “No, no, no!” but the answer out of my mouth was “Yes.” When Boyd asked me what time would be good, I told him six o’clock. I also told him that I had a hockey game at seven o’clock so I could only give him about twenty minutes. I figured he would say that maybe another time would be better. Instead, he said: “That’s great! We’ll see you at six!” All the way home from the meeting (and most of the afternoon) I kept accusing my wife of setting me up. I kept asking her what they wanted and why she didn’t say that we had something else planned for the evening. Her answer to me was simple: “I didn’t say ‘Yes’; you did.” I asked her to call Boyd and cancel. I really didn’t care what excuse she gave. Again, her response was simple. “You want to cancel? Then you call him!” Well, for whatever reason, I just couldn’t make the call. I remembered what I had told Boyd about my hockey game and that I could only give him and Jabe about twenty minutes. Plus, I was sure that my three parrots in the living room would drive them away pretty quickly. The birds always started to squawk up a storm whenever strangers came into our house. Around 5:30, I started looking out the front window and walking to the door every five minutes or so. My wife asked me, “What are you doing?” I told her, “They’re probably going to show up early so they can have more time with me.” Without fail, she came up with one of those simple replies: “They told you six; then they’ll be here at six!” Finally, six o’clock came and there was a knock at the door. It was “them.” I invited Boyd and Jabe into the living room and, just as if I had planned it, the birds started up. Jabe asked, “Are they always that noisy?” Now I felt great. They wouldn’t last long with my birds around. I thought, “Maybe I could strike up a conversation about my birds and by the time we finish talking about them, it’ll be time for these guys to go.” My wife asked if they would like a cup of tea, then went out to the kitchen to make it. All three birds were still in hysterics with their ear-piercing shrieks. Boyd walked up to the cage and asked me the name of each parrot. What happened next got my attention totally. Boyd began to calmly talk to the birds. “Now listen, I need you three to be quiet. There’s something important that we need to talk to Len about.”

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To my utter amazement, one by one, all three parrots became silent. So did I! Looking back, I wonder if it was almost like Daniel’s experience: My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the birds’ mouths! In any case, I was now ready to listen. Jabe started talking to me about good works and the fact that we are all sinners and that we can’t earn our way to heaven by the good things we do. This was pretty tough for a 46-year-old Catholic to hear, much less understand! The hardest part was that I couldn’t really argue with them because all their points were taken right from the Bible. I knew enough that I couldn’t argue with the Bible! It wasn’t long before I had forgotten about my “twenty minute” plan—but not Boyd. He looked at the time and said, “Well, our time is up. But before we go, I would like you to have something.” It was a hard cover book entitled One Day at a Time by William MacDonald. “How much money do you want for it?” I asked. “Oh nothing, it’s just a little gift.” I was genuinely touched by his generosity. I knew that they both cared for me. Well, nothing used to get in the way of my hockey but that evening I asked them both to stay because I had some questions I needed answered. I never did make it to hockey. We talked for a long time and that night, the seed was planted. A short while after their visit, just before Boyd passed away, I trusted Christ as my Saviour. I acknowledged that I was the sinner mentioned in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” I also asked the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart, knowing that He came and died on that cross for me, and was raised from the dead to sit at the right hand of God so my sins could be forgiven. Having been raised in a religion that placed a lot of stress on my works, I was relieved to read the simple truth in Romans 10:9, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Since I have been saved, my wife and I have come into fellowship at a local assembly in St. Catharines. We have joined a small group Bible study held by a few folks from the chapel. We are studying the Gospel of John. I am also teaching a primary Sunday School class. And I am really enjoying my new life in Christ.

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C H E T

P L I M P T O N

Reach for a Towel He did!

The word “refresh” does not appear in John 13:1-17, but in that passage we have the account of the Lord Jesus doing exactly that—refreshing His disciples by washing the dust from their travel-weary feet. Few things are more powerful than a good example, and I doubt if the disciples ever forgot that incredible sight. What they saw was the Lord Himself rising from the place where He might have been waited on, laying aside His outer garments—identifying Him as to who He was, taking a towel and girding Himself with it as a household slave might have done. Then, after pouring water into a basin, He went from disciple to disciple, washing and drying their feet. The disciples did not always get along and their first thought was not always that of refreshing one another. In fact, during the last meal that Jesus had with His disciples, right after He had broken bread with them, they were concerned more about selfish interests than about one another. Luke wrote, “Now there was also a strife among them, which should be accounted the greatest” (Lk. 22:24). Think of it! Within sight of Calvary the disciples were taken up with selfish ambition. In light of the urgency of reaching the unreached with the gospel, and within sight of the Lord’s return, we might suppose that as believers we would never quarrel and would certainly never allow anything to divide us, or cause problems in our relationships. In fact, one could suppose that we would do everything within our power to refresh one another as we serve the Lord in the harvest field together. Unfortunately, this is not always the case with us as it was not with Jesus’ disciples. After He had finished washing their feet, Jesus sat down again and wonderfully unfolded the way to a life that refreshes others. He did this by asking a question, giving an admonition, and offering a promise. THE QUESTION Jesus’ question to His disciples (found in v. 12) is one we must allow Him to ask us if we would be refreshing to others. The question is simply, “Know ye what I have done to you?” w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

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Of course Jesus’ question would cause His disciples to immediately think back on what they had just witnessed. They had seen their Lord with the basin of water and a towel going from one disciple to another, kneeling before them and washing their hot, dusty feet. The simple answer to His question was, “Yes, we know what you did to us. You washed our feet.” But can you see the true import of His question? It went far beyond the basin and the towel! What Jesus really wanted to know was if they were coming to understand how He was always among them as one that served. Had they noticed He had just refreshed them by humbling Himself and taking the servant’s position? He had just shown love, grace, kindness, compassion, care and an amazing humility as their Lord and Master to serve them. As we allow Jesus’ question to be directed to us personally, what is our answer? Knowing what Christ has done for you is the very foundation for living a life that is a refreshment to others. In fact, the greatest cause of trouble in relationships between believers is a lack of understanding how the grace of God has touched our lives. If we are not humbled by the grace of God extended to us, we will not be inclined to extend grace toward others. There is a principle that applies to us as members of the Body of Christ, and it is this: The more we understand what Christ has done for us, the more we respond in like manner to one another. The more we are amazed at how He humbled Himself for us, the more we gladly choose to humble ourselves before one another. The more we understand His depth of forgiveness, the more quickly we forgive one another. The more we understand the extent of His

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R E A C H

F O R

T O W E L

patience and kindness toward us, the more patient we are with one another. The more we understand His acceptance of us, the more accepting we are of one another. Paul brings this principle to our attention in his letters to the churches: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32); “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5); “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye” (Col. 3:13). If you are struggling in your relationships toward others, the way to change that is to gain a better understanding regarding what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for you. This was Paul’s longing as he expressed it in Philippians 3:10, “That I may know Him.” THE ADMONITION Jesus’ admonition was simply this, “Ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” There is no other reference to the disciples washing one another’s feet in the four Gospels and there is no admonition to believers in the church letters to wash one another’s feet. This seems to imply that the work of refreshing that the Lord wants us to do for each other is not the actual act of foot washing, but that of loving humble service, however He leads us to perform it. Jesus’ rationale was clear: If I as your Lord and master have humbly served you, certainly it is only right that you should humbly serve one another. Unfortunately the disciples kept longing for personal greatness and recognition, even as we to do in many different and often subtle ways. Perhaps in our pride we mistakenly feel that those who serve are less important than those who are served, but Jesus told His disciples, “He that is least among you all, the same shall be great” (Lk. 9:48); and “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Mt. 23:11). Humility is always the right choice to make. When Jesus cast the unclean spirit out of the child as recorded for us in Luke 9, all who saw it stood amazed at the mighty power of God. Yet, immediately following this display of the greatness of God, we read that the disciples focused not on His greatness but on their own. “There arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be the greatest” (Lk. 9:46). We may be thinking, “How could they think about their

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own greatness when they had just witnessed the Lord’s greatness?” But are we not often like those disciples? Each day we see His glory in the heavens and witness His redeeming power in the hearts of people, but when we choose not to humble ourselves and serve one another, we are thinking of our own greatness, not His. We act like the wicked servant in Matthew 18 whose master forgave him a huge debt of 10,000 talents, perhaps equivalent to several million dollars. But then the forgiven one reacted so harshly and ungraciously toward a fellow servant who owed him a very small debt by comparison—only 100 pence, just a few dollars. We shake our heads at that wicked servant’s pride and arrogance as he grabbed his poor fellow servant by the throat and cast him in prison. How could he be so blind to reality, we wonder. How could he treat his fellow servant that way when his master had forgiven him so much? Yet we can do the same thing, and far worse, when we in pride withhold forgiveness and kindness toward one another. Love motivated Jesus as He washed the feet of His disciples. John 13:1 tells us that “having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.” Later on, the Lord clearly passed this motivation on to us when He said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples” (Jn. 13:34-35). When other motives drive us—anger, jealousy, selfishness, bitterness, resentment, fear, mistrust, and suspicion—we cannot hope to be a refreshment to others. THE PROMISE Jesus’ promise was one of blessing. He said, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Notice carefully the two active ingredients in this promise—“know” and “do.” These two words are linked together by a word not found in the text but definitely implied by the context—choice. It is sadly possible for us to know a truth without walking in that truth. Jesus clearly distinguishes these two realities of knowing and doing, and explains that if we want to be truly happy or blessed, we must choose to walk in the light His Word gives us. If we would enjoy His blessings on our relationships, we must obey His admonition to humble ourselves. Just knowing that He wants you to humble yourself and serve your co-worker is not enough. Just knowing

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The Art of Coming Down Some years ago our family had a few days’ rest at the seashore. Our (then) six-year-old wanted to try her hand at flying a kite. So we visited a kite store and made the proud purchase of a lovely rainbow-colored one. “All the instructions are inside the package,” we were informed by the smiling sales clerk. I wanted to make sure, because more than 30 years had passed since I lost my last kite in a large oak tree near our home. The next morning the two of us happily headed for the beach with the kite, 500 feet of line and high hopes. The beach was already crowded and it took a few minutes to find a clear spot for the launch. Dad held the line; little smiling Moira held her rainbow kite. A steady breeze blew at my back as the kite took wing. Not too much line, I told myself as I watched it scamper up an invisible ladder of wind toward the sun. The instructions had told us to give more slack if the kite began to dive. It kept diving and I kept giving it more line. Every time it dipped, in my mind I could see it diving into some highpowered New York lawyer basking on the beach who was recovering from abdominal surgery. I was getting frantic now; beads of perspiration dotted my forehead. Thousands of beach-goers lay placidly sunning, ignorant that far above them in the morning sky lurked my “killer kite.” Panic set in when I reached the end of the line. Too late I discovered that the instructions had informed me how to get the kite up, but not HOW TO GET IT DOWN! The only solution was to chase the thing along the shore, trying all the while to rewind the string without infringing on its freedom. All I had to do was hold the line with one hand, wind it up with the other, run faster than the kite, and avoid the strangers sprawled on the beach. I now discovered that, while the kite had exalted itself by the foot, I was humbling it by the inch. It takes a very long time to reel in five hundred feet of line by the inch. As I stood panting beside the now unresisting kite, the lesson came to me. How like that kite I was. How ready to receive praise; how slow to receive correction. Opportunities for advancement are quickly grasped; opportunities for servanthood lie neglected all around. Like the kite, I tugged at restraint, longing to be free, not realizing that “freedom” from the one who is controlling means being at the mercy of every adverse wind. Peter, who had learned from the Master the art of coming down, wrote: “Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Pet. 5:5-6). When you feel the tug of His hand on the line of your life, yield to His will and learn the sweet blessing in the art of coming down. —J. B. N., Jr. from Aug. 1989 Uplook

He wants you to forgive and let go of your bitterness and resentment toward that other believer is not enough. Just knowing He wants you to love and accept that person you find difficult is not enough. The sad reality is that we may have a lot of scriptural knowledge but remain unhappy and miserable because we are not walking in the light of that knowledge. We can live our lives like the man of James 1:22-24 who gained knowledge of what he looked like by looking into the mirror, but then, because he didn’t act on what he had seen, he forgot what he looked like. We can even be deceived into thinking we are acting on what we know simply because we have known it for such a long a time. It is not a lack of knowing what God wants us to do that is our biggest problem. Rather it is a lack of doing what we know He wants us to do. DOES YOUR LIFE REFRESH OTHERS? As we look at our lives in light of the Lord’s example of humble service, what do we see? Perhaps we can visualize ourselves clutching so many things of self-worth and pride that we have no hands to take a towel. How many times have we missed out on being a refreshment to others because of an unwillingness to humble ourselves? Is it more important to us to be right than to be refreshing? In verse 7 of his letter to Philemon, Paul wrote, “The hearts of the saints are refreshed by you.” You and I have many wonderful opportunities each day to refresh the hearts of others, and we can do so simply by humbling ourselves. Let’s reach for that towel! w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

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B O U Q U E T

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B L E S S I N G S

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GROWING GRACEFUL Aging doesn’t mean you have to grow old in your soul.

Could the young but realize how soon they will become mere walking bundles of habits, they would give more heed to their conduct while in the plastic state. —William James

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Though long by following multitudes admired, No party for himself he e’er desired; His one desire to make the Saviour known, To magnify the Name of Christ alone. If others strove who should the greatest be, No lover of pre-eminence was he. —Charles Wesley, writing of George Whitfield

You are young at any age if you are planning for tomorrow. God chose me because I was weak enough. God does not do His great works by large committees. He trains someone to be quiet enough, and little enough, and then uses him. —J. Hudson Taylor, Kind hearts are the gardens, Kind thoughts are the roots, Kind words are the flowers, Kind deeds are the fruits. Take care of your garden, And keep out the weeds; Fill it with sunshine, Kind words and kind deeds. —H. W. Longfellow 30

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God has three kinds of servants in the world: some are mere slaves, and serve Him from fear; others are hirelings, and serve Him for wages; and the last are sons, who serve simply because they love. —A. Secker Do not be angry with yourself that you cannot get the others as you wish them to be, when you cannot get yourself as you wish to be. —Thomas a Kempis N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R

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G R O W I N G

G R A C E F U L

Te a c h M e t o L i v e —Au thor Unk nown Teach me to live! ’Tis easier far to die— Gently and silently pass away— On earth’s long night to close the heavy eye And waken in the glorious realms of day. Teach me that harder lesson—how to live, To serve Thee in the darker paths of life; Arm me for conflict now, fresh vigor give, And make me more than conqueror in the strife, Teach me to live Thy purpose to fulfill, Bright for Thy glory let my taper shine; Each day renew, remold this stubborn will; Closer round Thee my heart’s affections twine. Teach me to live for self and sin no more, But use the time remaining to me yet; Not mine own pleasure seeking as before, Wasting no precious hours in vain regret. Teach me to live; no idler let me be, But in Thy service hand and heart employ. Prepared to do Thy bidding cheerfully— Be this my highest and my holiest joy. Teach me to live—my daily cross to bear, Nor murmur though I bend beneath its load. Only be with me, let me feel Thee near, Thy smile sheds gladness on the darkest road. Teach me to live and find my life in Thee, Looking from earth and earthly things away. Let me not falter, but untiringly Press on, and gain new strength and power each day. Teach me to live with kindly words for all, Wearing no cold, repulsive brow of gloom, Waiting with cheerful patience till Thy call Summons my spirit to her heavenly home. w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

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UPLOOK

AT RISK

FISHING, FARMING, FIGHTING, FINANCE—EVERY PICTURE JESUS USED OF HIS WORK EXPRESSED THE RISK INVOLVED IN THE PLAN

We don’t think much about it, I suppose, but Christmas was a risky business. It’s risky for a young woman, expectant for the first time, to be away from family in that condition. Risky to travel, too, especially over rough roads, not to mention having a lack of medical personnel on hand. And such unsanitary conditions! But that wasn’t the half of it. Think of the risk taken by the wise men in committing months to following... a star? Where would it lead them? Over dangerous territory to be sure, and in (and out) of the clutches of Herod (and the Enemy behind him). Just imagine all the hope of humanity, the completion of the will of God, and the fulfilling of the prophetic Scriptures resting in that little Babe, object of a manhunt so ruthless as to wipe out a whole generation of children in a vain attempt to destroy Him. Yes, it is a very risky thing to shine light into a world where “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (Jn. 3:19), where the “Prince of darkness grim” was vehement in his schemes to put out that Light. And when at last, after shining His benevolent rays upon those that “sit in darkness” and as a “light to lighten the Gentiles,” when they sought to once and forever put out that Light at the place called Calvary, it seemed that the plan of God had failed. Even the disciples thought so. But then, “at the rising of the sun” (Mk. 16:2) on the first day of the week, the Light broke again over the dark and brooding horizon of man’s hopelessness. It reflected from the faces of His wondering disciples, and has been doing so ever since. Now little lights revealing His glory twinkle in the darkness across the whole human landscape. And the Light shall win the Day. It should come as no surprise that it’s still risky business to “let your light so shine.” But it is a risk that must be taken if that Light is to rescue the perishing. —J. B. N., JR.