MY EVERYDAY HERO - Part 3
This blog is a shout-out to some of the individuals who have stood with us in our transition from Scottsdale Bible Church. They have stayed connected and helped us succeed at Phoenix Seminary. In our home we use the expression, they have "skin in the game!" Meaning, they have not only cheered us on from a distance but they have also walked alongside us in camaraderie and fellowship.
These individuals have stepped up to help us bear our burdens - communicating in all sorts of ways that "we are in this together - we believe in you - we support you!" We have been blessed by their genuine caring and we want to take this opportunity to give thanks to God for them by name.
Cathy Brown - You are an unceasing prayer warrior! You listen and discern and, therefore, no one could represent us better before the throne than YOU! You know Darryl teases those he loves! He probably is not joking, however, when he says he plans on you nursing him at the end of his life using what you know to ease his pain! BTW - do you remember that time Darryl intentionally waited in an empty intersection to prevent you from turning so you had to wait for the next green light - while he mischievously sped away? Wasn't that cute and cuddly?
Jacque Chadwick - We share many memories with you. You guided Phoenix Seminary in an elegant and expeditious manner when you served as chair of the board of directors. You provided the bridge to Darryl's full-time position at the seminary. For those of us who know you best, you ooze love and loyalty combined with a gentle and extremely generous spirit. You value the things of God, the work of God, the mission of Phoenix Seminary and you actively structure your life around your values. You do what you say! You are a treasure of a friend!
Jeff & Tracy Goble - We will always be indebted to you for our amazing 20th year anniversary celebration at Scottsdale Bible Church. Our entire family was blessed by all the wonderful festivities and the fantastic cruise where we made many lasting memories together! You have been loving and understanding all through the years and that has not changed even though we have moved on from SBC. You remain sensitive and understanding of our feelings and you strive to do good in the name of Christ!
Ed & Diane Grant - You are our buddies! Your large brood entertains and inspires us! Ed, you are like a brother to Darryl. You have watched over him, advised and guided him. You even made it possible for us to join Paradise Valley Country Club - something that NEVER would have happened without your support. Diane, when we are threatened and we need you - you watch over us us like a mother bear. You guys breathe our air and keep a watchful eye to make sure we are okay! We love you like family!
Wayne & Margaret Grudem - You share our love and commitment to Phoenix Seminary. You both work hard to benefit the seminary in practical ways. Wayne, you travel and speak and represent us incredibly well around the world. Margaret, you are hospitable - opening your home many times to host faculty gatherings over the years. We have told you directly and we remind you now - that you are a big part of why we are at Phoenix Seminary. We depend on you to walk with us! We feel blessed to know you!
Wayne & Bev Lehsten - You are like parents to us - and we think you are the best there is! You have
loved us unconditionally by praying for us, hosting us in your home for delicious meals and providing wise
counsel - always with enthusiastic balcony support! We count on you being in our corner. Your
smiling faces radiate - we love you and we think you are terrific! No wonder we bloom when we are around you! We want you to know your investment is a huge part of why are who we are!
Jim & Kathy McDowell - Oh man, have you guys saved our bacon, several times over! Your generosity and willingness to help us out are like balm to our weary and sometimes very worried souls. Jim, you are a big brother who provides a steady and loving presence in Darryl's life. Kathy, you have loved on us graciously and generously through the years. You both may not know just how much we appreciate you, so we are recording it here for all time. You make our socks roll up and down!
Jamie & Kim Rasmussen - You have honored our history at Scottsdale Bible Church! We hear all the time about how you mention your pastor emeritus - the good humor you share and the respect you have for Darryl's teaching - even recommending an expanded study of Romans in the President' class. Kim, you stand by your man with dignity and grace! You have entrusted your hearts to us and we have entrusted ours to you! We hope you will always be a part of our lives and ministry!
Astor & Sonja Stave - We have seen the world with you two - San Diego, the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver, Victoria, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Hawaii and Norway! You have opened doors and windows of opportunity and adventure for us by befriending us. Astor, as an older brother, you readily share your wise counsel at your on-going breakfast counseling sessions with Darryl. Sonja, you have embraced us as part of your own family and nobody makes Norwegian pancakes like you do!
Steve & Barbara Uhlmann - We have been friends for many years and you continue to stand with us in this new season of Darryl's presidency. You have expanded your own personal passion for marriages to include the mission of Phoenix Seminary because of your love and support of us. Barbara, your service as chair of the seminary board and Steve, your personal interest in the development and deepening of the seminary, particularly in the area of personal growth and transformation, have contributed in mighty ways to God's Kingdom. Steve, the CWV will be exploring transformation alchemy this spring. I promise it will happen!
Ed & Mary Lou Willmington - Ed, you and Darryl were "hooked at the hip" for most of our 25 year run at Scottsdale Bible Church. Darryl takes great joy in the beautiful music you composed out of the pain he inflicted upon YOU! Your reverence for God, your humility and sacrificial service to the church have inspired us, blessed us and made us cry more times than we can count. No one puts a worship service together that lifts our hearts to God - with so many moving parts - the way you do! Mary Lou, we are blessed by your angelic voice and your tremendous poise and grace. That same poise and grace has been passed on to your daughters - two of your finest accomplishments! We have not forgotten that SBC was built on your monumental investment!
O Father, we thank You that we have been blessed by these dear friends. We are thankful these remarks are part of our history and heritage. We praise You because You are the giver of every good and perfect gift! Amen.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
I've been thinking about heroism...
MY EVERYDAY HERO - Part 2
My everyday hero is my husband, Darryl, who has displayed strength to meet daily challenges for all 42 of our years together. This is my tribute to his heroism.
My everyday hero loves sacrificially. I have seen Darryl go way out of his way to honor a prior commitment and value people even though it cost him dearly at times. He lives by something he calls, First Commitment - Priority Commitment, meaning he will not flake out on a previous commitment even if the second opportunity is the one-of-a-kind, never-will-happen-again type. The only time he violates this code is if the original person will release him - in grace.
My everyday hero serves the person in front of him. I have seen Darryl go down on his knees to talk with children; comfort the dying with Scripture; pray for families in hospital rooms; patiently answer Bible questions into the night, if necessary; relentlessly prepare for a constant array of messages, talks, workshops, seminary classes; counsel the brokenhearted; reconcile enemies; disarm angry complainers; get totally absorbed in another's story; meticulously follow wise counsel; simply hold the door open for a family at their son's funeral; bury my father and nephew; take his sons to breakfast once a week for years; value and validate his beautiful daughters; spend quality time with his extremely beautiful, intelligent and gifted grandchildren; and protect and honor me - his wife.
My everyday hero solves problems. I have seen Darryl weighed down with concerns; angry at rudeness; disappointed over the outcomes of major decisions; completely exhausted and then, the next morning, have a fresh supply of energy and joie de vivre. I have seen him tirelessly clear his desk of piles of papers; over-communicate to keep misunderstandings to a minimum; share something he can do in the spirit of cooperation even when he can't do all that is requested; share his theological understanding on a myriad of issues to anyone who will listen; and meet his wife for lunch once a week for over 30 years to discuss scheduling and family concerns.
My everyday hero makes courageous decisions. I watched Darryl walk away from 25 years at Scottsdale Bible Church because he felt Phoenix Seminary needed him - leaving the insulation of a remarkable reputation; financial stability; and weekly influence over thousands; to build a struggling school. I watched him fall in love with the people of Grace Community Church and decide to set about bringing health to a body beaten down by problems and discouragement.
My everyday hero leads with faith. I have watched Darryl trust God for outcomes while he put one foot in front of the other and kept moving forward. I watched him believe God for godly elders; assemble a talented staff; nurturing them to be successful while he faithfully did his job week to week - all year around - year after year. I have watched him believe God for the needs of the seminary even when they seemed completely overwhelming - only to see him overcome and still be faithfully filling the requirements of his presidential role since 1997.
Christopher Reeve defined a hero "as an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." And then, he adds, "They are the real heroes, and so are the families and friends who have stood with them."
My next blog will pay tribute to the people who have stood with us - especially in our transition to Phoenix Seminary and the many challenges we have faced together there.
My everyday hero is my husband, Darryl, who has displayed strength to meet daily challenges for all 42 of our years together. This is my tribute to his heroism.
My everyday hero loves sacrificially. I have seen Darryl go way out of his way to honor a prior commitment and value people even though it cost him dearly at times. He lives by something he calls, First Commitment - Priority Commitment, meaning he will not flake out on a previous commitment even if the second opportunity is the one-of-a-kind, never-will-happen-again type. The only time he violates this code is if the original person will release him - in grace.
My everyday hero serves the person in front of him. I have seen Darryl go down on his knees to talk with children; comfort the dying with Scripture; pray for families in hospital rooms; patiently answer Bible questions into the night, if necessary; relentlessly prepare for a constant array of messages, talks, workshops, seminary classes; counsel the brokenhearted; reconcile enemies; disarm angry complainers; get totally absorbed in another's story; meticulously follow wise counsel; simply hold the door open for a family at their son's funeral; bury my father and nephew; take his sons to breakfast once a week for years; value and validate his beautiful daughters; spend quality time with his extremely beautiful, intelligent and gifted grandchildren; and protect and honor me - his wife.
My everyday hero solves problems. I have seen Darryl weighed down with concerns; angry at rudeness; disappointed over the outcomes of major decisions; completely exhausted and then, the next morning, have a fresh supply of energy and joie de vivre. I have seen him tirelessly clear his desk of piles of papers; over-communicate to keep misunderstandings to a minimum; share something he can do in the spirit of cooperation even when he can't do all that is requested; share his theological understanding on a myriad of issues to anyone who will listen; and meet his wife for lunch once a week for over 30 years to discuss scheduling and family concerns.
My everyday hero makes courageous decisions. I watched Darryl walk away from 25 years at Scottsdale Bible Church because he felt Phoenix Seminary needed him - leaving the insulation of a remarkable reputation; financial stability; and weekly influence over thousands; to build a struggling school. I watched him fall in love with the people of Grace Community Church and decide to set about bringing health to a body beaten down by problems and discouragement.
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This is my husband, my everyday hero. He has shown up everyday for 42 years and I don't think he has any intention of slowing down anytime soon. He will be loving, serving, problem-solving, making courageous decisions and leading with faith until his last breath.
Christopher Reeve defined a hero "as an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." And then, he adds, "They are the real heroes, and so are the families and friends who have stood with them."
My next blog will pay tribute to the people who have stood with us - especially in our transition to Phoenix Seminary and the many challenges we have faced together there.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
I've been thinking about heroism...
MY EVERYDAY HERO
Christopher Reeve, the Superman star, defined a hero this way, "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." Christopher came to understand the nature of heroism after he was paralyzed in a riding accident in May 1995. For the rest of his life he remained dependent on a ventilator to breathe and was unable to move any part of his body below his shoulders.
In his autobiography, Still Me, released in April 1998, Christopher shared how he found respite in his sleep. He often dreamed of moving unhindered or even flying only to wake each morning to overwhelming obstacles that threatened to overcome and crush his spirit. He survived pneumonia, infections, blood clots, pressure wounds and a dangerous condition known as autonomic dysreflexia. He found the strength to carry on for nine heroic years until his death in October 2004. He was 52 years old.
Some heroes commit courageous actions without considering the consequences. Pehaps reflecting on this thought, Will Rogers once quipped, Being a hero is about the shortest-lived profession on earth!
Some heroes intentionally lay down their lives for something bigger than themselves. It is the cause and not merely the death that makes the martyr. - Napoleon Bonaparte
Some go out with a bang like the rebels of Les Miserables! If one is determined to die for the truth, even a common man can create history. - Vellupillai Pirapakaran
But, not every hero dies. Heroes live among us.
Some simply show up. A hero is a man who does what he can. - Romain Rolland
Some shed light. The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets for men to see by. - Felix Adler
Some swim upstream. To go against the dominant thinking of your friends, of most of the people you see every day, is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform. - Theodore H. White
Some are quiet. True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever the cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever the cost. - Arthur Ashe
Some only need a few minutes. A hero is no braver than any ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Many heroes are men, women and children who surmount incredible difficulties every day. My hero is an everyday hero. My hero is my husband, Darryl, who loves and serves, solves problems, makes courageous decisions and leads with faith. I will tell you more in my next blog...
Christopher Reeve, the Superman star, defined a hero this way, "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." Christopher came to understand the nature of heroism after he was paralyzed in a riding accident in May 1995. For the rest of his life he remained dependent on a ventilator to breathe and was unable to move any part of his body below his shoulders.
In his autobiography, Still Me, released in April 1998, Christopher shared how he found respite in his sleep. He often dreamed of moving unhindered or even flying only to wake each morning to overwhelming obstacles that threatened to overcome and crush his spirit. He survived pneumonia, infections, blood clots, pressure wounds and a dangerous condition known as autonomic dysreflexia. He found the strength to carry on for nine heroic years until his death in October 2004. He was 52 years old.
Some heroes commit courageous actions without considering the consequences. Pehaps reflecting on this thought, Will Rogers once quipped, Being a hero is about the shortest-lived profession on earth!
Some heroes intentionally lay down their lives for something bigger than themselves. It is the cause and not merely the death that makes the martyr. - Napoleon Bonaparte
Some go out with a bang like the rebels of Les Miserables! If one is determined to die for the truth, even a common man can create history. - Vellupillai Pirapakaran
But, not every hero dies. Heroes live among us.
Some simply show up. A hero is a man who does what he can. - Romain Rolland
Some shed light. The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets for men to see by. - Felix Adler
Some swim upstream. To go against the dominant thinking of your friends, of most of the people you see every day, is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform. - Theodore H. White
Some are quiet. True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever the cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever the cost. - Arthur Ashe
Some only need a few minutes. A hero is no braver than any ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Many heroes are men, women and children who surmount incredible difficulties every day. My hero is an everyday hero. My hero is my husband, Darryl, who loves and serves, solves problems, makes courageous decisions and leads with faith. I will tell you more in my next blog...
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