As of a couple of weeks ago, my husband and I will join the ranks of those being told their place of work is closing. Taylor University Fort Wayne, formerly Fort Wayne Bible College and Summit Christian College, will discontinue classes as of May 31, 2009. My husband works in maintenance at the campus and has a steady work history there. We have faith God will lead him and me, as I look for a job, to other jobs.
http://fw.taylor.edu/home/news/news_detail.shtml?inode=77392


I read these verses today and they really spoke to me about the Taylor University Fort Wayne situation:

Jer 24: 4 Then the word of the LORD came to me:

5 "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians.

6 My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them.

7 I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.


The most important thing is for us to have a heart to know God and to turn to Him with all of our heart. Sometimes life doesn't go the way we want. But we can trust Him with our future.


I’m praying everyone at Taylor University Fort Wayne – students, staff, and faculty -- makes the transition well.

The election is Tuesday! Pray about all of these things! God’s will be done. Amen.

Labor that Satisfies

A friend pointed out that I had not posted a blog for a while. She’s right. Time got away and for a while I didn't feel inspired to share my thoughts. A daughter has moved overseas to teach in a school and that has taken some getting used to.

At the same time, I’ve been conscious, as have many Americans, of the affect the downturn in the economy has taken on lives. I know we’ve cut way down on our car trips to save money on gas. Back and forth to work and some occasional educational trips to a neighboring city have been the extent of our travels. We’re also gearing up for higher energy costs this winter. Oh joy.

Today I read verses in the Bible that seemed to apply to this national situation of tightening budgets. In Isaiah 55 the prophet wrote "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”

That sounds great! Who would not want free food? I interviewed a director of a local food bank recently and she laments how the extra demands of customers this year has emptied her shelves. “For the first time in the 12 years I’ve been here I wonder if we will have enough money to get us through the winter,” she told me.

Food and drink – the necessities of life. How are you faring? Are you doing well enough to offer help to someone else?

The next words from the prophet project this, “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?” (1-2)

I think he’s saying to think carefully before spending your dollars. Will you really want that Vera Bradley bag in one month? Or could you use it to sponsor a child for six months in another country who is struggling to find money to go to school?

That is labor that satisfies.

I’ve been volunteering my labor in crocheting free caps for people who lose hair from cancer, burns and other illness through a group I helped to found called Stitches of Hope. You can find out more about how to help these people at our website: http://www.stitchesofhope.com/

We’ve received glowing thanks from hospitals and patients. There’s so much we can do to help others.

What help can you contribute to others during this challenging time? you won't regret it.