There are 3 points that I believe the Lord has spoken to me to share with you concerning this Biblical account:

• His Invitation
• His Compassion
• His Provision 

Today's blog will focus on His Invitation.  It's His invitation to "Come!"

At the heart of Restore Ministries, our message has always been that of what Jesus so purposefully beckons of us.  
​To Come Away!
We believe that the Lord wants to restore and redeem the brokenness, the wounds,
and the weariness of our souls, as we find our wholeness in Him.

The value of rest should never be underestimated. It is essential for fruitful labor. A quiet secluded place is necessary to recharge the mind, heart and body. Rest was just what Jesus had in mind for His weary friends, the disciples.  They had spent much time "doing ministry" when Jesus sent them out two by two.  On this particular day, they reconvened to report all that they had done in Jesus' name. When Jesus saw them, I believe he saw a weariness, a heaviness, and tired bodies.  They had just heard the news about the beheading of John the Baptist, their friend, and there was also an emotional drain.  Not only were their spirits depleted, but scripture tells us that they didn't even have time to eat!  So their physical bodies were also depleted.  They seemed to be in such a hustle and with constant hurry.  Jesus' invitation to them was to come away to a secluded place and rest a while.

Can you relate?  Do you find yourself hustling...and with good cause?  How long has it been since you took some time to restore, replenish, and rest?  

Pulling away to be refilled is crucial to the many acts of kindness, love, and the out-pouring of our heart.  Ministry is often draining.  There is not only a physical exhaustion that takes place with much doing, but a spiritual exhaustion as you pour out and into the lives of others. We must remember that we can only pour out what has been placed within.  

Unrest leaves us in a state of chaos and confusion. Our soul cries out for peace. 
The Bible says, “The wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt” (Isaiah 57:20). “In the morning you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were evening!’ And at evening you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were morning!'” (Deuteronomy 28:67).
 
We are being slammed on every side!  Everyone wants a piece of us.  Deadlines quickly arise and we find ourselves grasping for every single minute.  I don’t need to tell you what it’s like. You are very much aware.  We hunger for just a moment to breathe!
​
It’s sad that I have to remind myself to BREATHE! And I’ll admit my fault, I’m the queen of unrest, but I do know it’s value.  I am an example of “a work in progress” as I seek quiet times for restoration.

There is also something to be said about stillness and solitude.  

• Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God…”
• Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing, He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.”
• Psalm 91:1 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

I believe REST is something that everyone seeks.  We hunger for it!  "Unrest" seems to lie at the core of a hungry heart!

As I move about my days and decisions I face, there are times I find myself being hijacked.  What is it that is being taken?  My peace.  My rest.  My ability to keep my mind focused on Kingdom purposes and opportunities to display God's glory. Even my joy is often stolen.  And I ask myself, how is this possible?  Most often, it's because my battle plan is weak.  I have not taken to heart the seriousness of resting...and resting IN HIM! 

​Rest also comes with being still…when we quieten our body, mind, and spirit, it is then that we experience great communion with God.  He commands us to Be still and know that He is God.  We need to remember to GO INTO OUR CLOSET and SHUT THE DOOR!  Communion with the Father provides rest for our hungry soul.  He fills it with good things as is stated in the Psalm 107:9 verse.  

Passover celebrated one of Israel’s key stories, the moment that God took a bunch of Hebrew slaves, liberated them from oppression and started to build them into a nation. Suddenly a whole narrative starts playing into this miracle – after all, didn’t God feed his people when they were in the wilderness? And, when they were in the wilderness, weren’t the people arranged in administrative units of hundreds and fifties, just like Jesus commands in verse Mark 6:40? 
 
Jesus notes in verse 34 that the people were “Like sheep without a shepherd”, and again this is linking to a whole other narrative, the Old Testament idea that leaders – kings, priests – had a duty as the shepherds of their people, and yet many of them had completely failed in this. Again, we can go back to the birth of Israel to see where this idea comes from – In Numbers 27:15-17, Moses asks God to appoint his successor so that Israel won’t be, you’ve guessed it, sheep without a shepherd. This idea recurs throughout the Bible – Ezekiel 34 is an extended attack on the bad ‘shepherds’ and points out that God himself will act as a good shepherd, which is also a very famous description of Jesus.
 
And you know it from what scripture?  God mentions green grass, shepherding, and provision? Psalm 23!  

• Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing, He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.”

 
Suddenly the feeding of the five thousand is linked with one of the greatest expressions of God’s love and support ever committed to paper. This miracle is about God supporting his people, protecting them, looking after them, loving them. And it’s tied into a bigger story, that of God’s rescue plan for humanity that culminates in Christ’s death and resurrection. And even this story is a foreshadowing of yet another account in scripture when Jesus serves His disciples in the upper room. 

​Even in Ezekiel 34:15 The Lord declares that He will have them lie down!
 
God has a way of making you lie down if you don’t take time for yourself!  When you find yourself in a "Holy reclining position," God’s compassion runs warm like a blanket tucked in. Then, you are ready to receive His wondrous provisions!

So listen to God's invitation to you today.  Come...find rest!  I promise you won't be sorry, but encouraged as you find in Him ALL that your hungry and longing soul seeks!  Strengthen your battle plan.  Call together an army of close friends that will pray for you and remind you look toward the Good Shepherd who will restore, revive, invite you to rest, and will lead in you paths of righteousness...for His name sake.

In our next blog, I'll share a little insight about His Compassion and His Provision as we finish up the short series of The Feeding of the 5K.  

​It is our prayer that you will accept His Invitation to “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while” and allow the Lord to restore and redeem the brokenness, the wounds, and the weariness of your soul, as you find your wholeness in Him.

Sharing in His Feast,
​Sherry

Greetings!  Thank you for joining us today.  To receive the best benefit of this blog, we always encourage you to click the title and view it from your browser.  This blog contains video that will not display on some devices.  We are continuing our study of A Feast for Your Soul ~ Celebrating God's Abundance in Community by sharing with you our teachings of the Bible Study that we are writing and hosting each month.  This is not your typical blog!  It has been written in a way that will supplement your quiet time with the Lord.  It is not a quick sip or nibble of heavenly nourishment for your soul.  It is intended for you to take a little more time to sit, rest, chew and reflect on His goodness and faithfulness in our lives. So pour a cup of tea, a mug of coffee, and sit in your soft chair.  Enjoy today's Monday Musing!

Hunger is one thing that moves us to action!  When we are physically hungry, we begin our hunt to quench the craving.  We look for something to satisfy.  Something good!  When we are hungry for peace and quiet, we seek it out in various places.  I typically find my "happy place" on my front porch, until the neighbors yardman comes to tidy up the grass!

Everyone finds themselves hungry!  I'm sure you are visiting this blog because deep within, you are hungry too!  You hunger with curiosity, you hunger for more of God's word, you hunger for fellowship or even to identify/associate with Restore Ministries as a part of this blog following.  

Perhaps there is a real need in your life right now and you are just grabbing at anything that will help pull you out of the mire - or mundane.  You hunger for peace in the midst of a storm that you are passing through.  You need strength.  Words of wisdom...or just something to give you a taste of Hope...or direction in your life.

You need to know that satisfying a hunger in your soul costs something!  It will cost your time and effort.  But let me tell you right now, it is ONLY JESUS that can satisfy the longing of your soul - and to fill it with good things.  And yes, even that cost.  It cost Jesus His life!  He gave it because of His great love and compassion for each of you reading this!

If you've never made the wonderful discovery of having Jesus in your life, the true Bread of Life, the One who loves your soul and delights in filling you with the abundance of His treasure and ALL that He is, then please contact us directly.  We would love to share with you how to have an incredible love relationship with Jesus Christ, because, once again...it is ONLY He that can satisfy your soul, and quench the hunger and thirst within.

There are 37 miracles recorded in the Holy Scriptures and the story of the feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle, before the Resurrection, that is reported in all 4 of the Gospels!  That in itself should call its importance for us as there are many spiritual lessons, truths, and information that lead us to the closing of Jesus' earthly ministry.

The story of the Feeding of the 5K is also a story of "hungry" people! This story bears the marks of seeking solace & respite, pressing demands, and a table of abundance. 

I see 3 groups of individuals who are all hungry for something!  And as I have studies this story, over and over, each time God reveals more to me, and my own face is mirrored in many of the characters.  It is my prayer that as we journey through this story, that you too will recognize yourself.

So with those things in mind, let me tell the story...

Below, is a link to the YouTube that I have created to enhance the retelling of this story.  It is just under 14 minutes.
I encourage you to invest time and watch it on your television if you have the technology to do so.
This is Part 1 of this short blog series of "Hungry Soul? Feeding of 5K Reveals Solutions!"  It is my prayer that you will be blessed as you hear the story of this great miracle.
 (I have included the link incase the YouTube is not displayed on your device. Click below)

This blog has been designed to set the stage!  It is a precursor or introduction to the 3 points that I believe the Lord has spoken to me to share with you concerning:

• His Invitation
• His Compassion
• His Provision

So please continue to join me as we break them apart over the course of this short series.

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Sharing in His Feast,
​Sherry

There are different kinds of hosts in our world and in this story. There are those who invite someone into their lives and homes out of duty and those who invite someone in out of delight.

Jesus was causing quite a stir in the area. There was a growing uneasiness among those in power, the Pharisees. Simon was probably curious himself. 

Could this man really be a prophet? He didn’t look any different from all the rest of the strangers you might pass on the street. What was it about him that drew so many into HIs teaching?  He was performing miracles and Simon was skeptical. And so Simon invited Jesus into his home. It was his duty after all. This Jesus needed to be investigated. It’s likely that Simon was chosen from among the Pharisees for this task and pride probably also crept in. He could be trusted to check Jesus out on this fact finding mission.

And so the table is set.

Jesus arrives, but isn’t given a place of honor at the table at the inner area of the courtyard and instead is seated around the perimeter.  Simon makes a place for him, but can’t bothered with giving him water to wash his feet or having a servant wash the dust from his feet of travels. Jesus head isn't annointed with oil. Their eyes meet, but he certainly isn’t greeted with a kiss. These were all common courtesies defined by the community and time in which they lived.

Then the sinful woman enters the feast.
This woman has invited Jesus into her life and has invited herself to the feast. 

​She becomes a host for Jesus and is filled with delight in contrast to the hosting that Simon offered out of religious duty.  

Jesus calls the woman the more gracious host. She attends to the needs of the guest in the way that Simon should have offered. 

I think verse 44 is so interesting - Jesus turns his gaze toward the woman, but speaks to Simon.
Simon saw only a prostitute, a sinful intruder into his home. He didn’t see her as a person, and He certainly didn’t recognize her extravagant acts as offerings of worship to the Savior.

But Jesus saw her, really saw deep into her soul. For once, a man, a man named Jesus, looked into the depths of her soul and saw her need, not what he could get from her for a price - but what He could give her for a price that He was willing to pay. He saw beyond her sordid past and into her glorious future. And in humility and love, she comes to this feast to honor Him in her present state of forgiveness.
 
It’s important to note that this woman enters the scene already forgiven. John McArthur explains in his commentary on this passage - “Notice that little statement, "I say to you, her sins which are many have been forgiven." That's perfect tense.  It didn't happen right there then.  That's past.  Perfect tense, something happened in the past with continuing effect.  She had already been forgiven.  She had been forgiven some other place, some other day, some other time.  She came there already forgiven, in a state of forgiveness, to find Jesus to thank Him. “ 

Jesus has transformed her life.
We don’t know the details of how, but we see the evidence of it in her lavish display of love and gratitude, her deep humility.  

She is silent at the rebuke in the room. Imagine how she felt while people whispered about her reputation in the room.
But divine grace has moved her to love and love has given her courage to serve Jesus. What she gave cost her in finances and in public rebuke. She pours out all of her costly perfume on His feet. She has brought it as a gift of her love to the One who has forgiven her.

​I love the word that describes the tears that fell from her eyes. The Greek word for her tears that wet His feet is “brecho” which means rain. She literally rains tears on His feet. Luther describes her weeping as “heart water” like an emotional damn that has broken into pieces. She had no water, but heart water and that was sufficient to wash the feet of her Savior.

In contrast, Simon was a religious leader. He had done his best to live a respectable life. His sins were tucked away, maybe he didn’t even recognize them himself.

​ But he had given himself permission to judge and size up others, putting a wall around his world and his heart. His life was all so orderly, so under the law that he couldn’t see the unpredictable power of grace.

​The Scripture says Simon thought - “If this man were a prophet he would know what kind of woman she is. She is a sinner. I love how Jesus reads Simon’s mind and answers him with the parable in verse 41- 43.
​
This Master teacher is trying to get Simon to understand grace through His parable.
Simon and the woman both owed a debt that neither of them could pay.

Jesus has seen the sinful woman in Luke 7 with the gaze of the soul and the name He gives her is forgiven. 
At last, she can experience peace. For so long she has searched for someone to fill the deep hunger and thirst in her soul and that search has led her down a dark and broken life of sin. 
Perhaps you also have experienced the same brokenness that a life of sin can bring.

Jesus reveals Himself to be the Bread of Life and Cup of Salvation in her life, the One...the only One who can finally satisfy her hunger and thirst. 

And so as we look at the stories in Scripture where Jesus ate, drank and taught we must ask some questions about what we can learn for our own faith journeys. For me the greatest lesson in this story is that no matter how sinful, how broken, how deeply entrenched our own lives have become filled with error, or how hidden the sin is in our lives, we have the hope of forgiveness and peace, just like the woman and Simon.

• Ephesians 1:7-8 - In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight
• Romans 5:8 - God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Forgiveness, it is a true and finished work, completed at the cross. 
We may not feel worthy of His forgiveness, but that doesn’t change the fact of it.

• 1 John 2:12  - “Your sins have been forgiven on account of His name.” 

Here are some questions to ponder as we seek to enter into this beautiful “feast” story in Scripture. 

1. How are you hosting Jesus in your life? 
Do you greet Him in the morning with prayer, reading His love letter to you in His Word, anointing Him with praise? 

We can approach Him like Simon, tightly holding on to unspoken questions, treating Him as a question to be answered, a resource to be mined or we can approach Jesus with a heart of gratitude and worship, a Savior to whom we can pour out our love because we know that we are deeply loved and forgiven. We can choose to be like this woman and host Him with the delight of your hearts.

Our love, like hers may not be tidy and orderly. We certainly may not have all the answers. But, if we turn our hearts toward Him, we too will be healed. 

2. Can you think of someone in your life who needs the compassionate eyes of Jesus from you?

3. How can you break open the alabaster jar of your love for Jesus in the days ahead?
​4. What acts of gratitude can you pour out at His feet?

When we choose to believe, forgiveness is etched on the wounds of our hearts. 
​It is written in His boundless grace and sealed by His love.
​
Forgiven and loved, 
Kathy
. 
Resources: Sermon by Charles Spurgeon, Articles and Teaching by John Piper, John Bloom, John McArthur, Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire, Sally Clarkson, Leonard Sweet, Commentary by Matthew Henry,

Restore Monday Musings is excited to be back! We have spent the summer and early fall studying and planning for a wonderful year for the ministry. We hope that you will join in the celebration as we share what the Lord is teaching us through the blog in the months ahead!

Special note ***This blog has lots of pictures and a slide show. Please click the Restore butterfly to take you to the website for viewing.

In Genesis, God commands human beings to “Eat freely...” (Genesis 2:16) and in the final chapter of Scripture He says,  “Drink freely....”  In between these two bookends of the Bible, throughout the Scriptures, God lays out for us a table where He serves us a life-course meal. It is a meal where we have the privilege and opportunity to feast in our hearts on the very Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation: Jesus Christ. 
We must let our hunger take us to the Bread of Life. 
​
Sometimes, don’t you feel like you are just living to check off your to do” list. I know I do. It’s so easy to get caught in that trap of just surviving the days, as if that will satisfy. But Jesus offers so much more...He offers us Himself! 
We are to drink freely of the water of life, Jesus, the living water for our souls for He alone can satisfy.​

Around the table we build community that nurtures our faith within our families and among believers and those who don’t yet know the Savior.

God willing, throughout the year, in our blog we hope to take you along with us in our "Feast" study as we travel with Jesus and his disciples through the pages of God’s pursuing love story.  We’ll use our imaginations and visit places like Galilee, the little village of Bethany, Jericho, and Jerusalem as we enter into stories of feasting in Scripture and explore the amazing truths and lessons the Father has for us. The locations of these meals move from  the homes of Pharisees to followers of Jesus and tax collectors, to hillsides and shores by the sea. Wherever Jesus gathered for a meal with the people, He filled them with the wonder of His transforming truth. In the course of the meal He shares life-giving lessons for us all.
Our prayer is that as you read along with us, you will feel like you have joined with us in the Feast in your hearts even though you may live far away or cannot attend our monthly “Feast” gatherings. It will be a great joy to savor together the nourishing words of Scripture and in the process we will “taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8

​It's just a couple of weeks until our Feast For Your Soul ~ Women's Night of Worship. Women from all over the Baton Rouge area and representing many different churches are registered. It looks like we will have a delightful number of ladies seeking to feast on the Word of Truth, to be transformed by the renewing of their mind, to find rest for their soul, and to bask in the abundance from the house of God, celebrating His goodness with wholehearted worship!  We hope that you will come and join us:

A Feast for Your Soul ~ Women's Night of Worship & Dinner
September 7, 2018 at 6pm

Location:
Community Bible Church
8354 Jefferson Hwy.
Baton Rouge, LA  70809
Online Registration Required.

As we are making final preparations for you, we hope that you have already registered.  If not, there are still places available ONLY for the Women's Night of Worship.  We have reached our maximum capacity for the monthly Home Bible Study, but a waiting list has been set up should someone need to cancel.  We will contact you in the order in which we receive your contact information.  You may click HERE to be placed on our waiting list; and who knows, maybe we will offer it again next fall! 

We thought you'd like to take a look at just a little of the preparations that are taking place! See YouTube Video below:
​https://youtu.be/LyFgztfDtCU 

Please note:  a Donation Basket will be available for you to make a contribution to help cover the cost of the meal. Reservations are Required for the Women's Night of Worship.  Won't you join us?

Looking forward to feasting with you!
​Kathy & Sherry

Dear Friends,
We are inviting you to participate in our upcoming events:
WOMEN'S NIGHT OF WORSHIP
and
A FEAST FOR YOUR SOUL HOME BIBLE STUDY SERIES
(space limited for the study)

Below you will find our Informational YouTube Video so that you will know what to expect and all of the particulars!
Here is the link incase you are unable to access it from your device:  https://youtu.be/Z27jfluWy3Y

ONE TIME REGISTRATION FOR WOMEN'S NIGHT OF WORSHIP
and/or
A FEAST FOR YOUR SOUL HOME BIBLE STUDY SERIES

Greetings Everyone!

We just wanted to let you know to be watching for some things that are upcoming!
Here is a glimpse of a new event that will take place each month (except Dec.). Beginning September 7, 2018,  we will gather women from across the body of Christ on one Friday night each month to come together for a feast. A literal feast of food, but also a feasting on the living Word, Jesus Christ!

Restore has always been a ministry in which women from many different churches have participated together through our retreats, nights of worship and teas. We would like to offer an opportunity to experience this amazing community of women more often. Meeting only once a month allows you time to participate in studies at your local church, but also gather with women from across the community and the body of Christ. We have much to learn from one another in the work the Father is doing within us. We will come together to share our hopes, our dreams, our struggles, our questions, and seek God's truth as we delight in the words of Jesus. ​We also will explore and study some of the feasts in the New Testament in which Jesus participated and the lessons He taught us at those feasts.

Registration is not yet open, but keep watching, waiting, and praying for us as we continue this summer to prepare for our time together!  We ask you to SAVE THE DATE for our Women's Night of Worship kick-off for the study.

Restore has always been a ministry in which women from many different churches have participated together through our retreats, nights of worship and teas. We would like to offer an opportunity to experience this amazing community of women more often. Meeting only once a month allows you time to participate in studies at your local church, but also gather with women from across the community and the body of Christ. We have much to learn from one another in the work the Father is doing within us. We will come together to share our hopes, our dreams, our struggles, our questions, and seek God's truth as we delight in the words of Jesus. ​

So we invite you to join us!
Come to the Feast and savor God’s Word as we listen to the stories of Jesus
when He lived and walked among us. Each month we will gather at His Table
 for study, worship, communion, prayer, and feasting as we
celebrate God's abundance in community.​

Sherry and I will be spending the summer months writing this new Feast for Your Soul Bible Study. We will explore and study some of the feasts in the New Testament in which Jesus participated and the lessons He taught us at those feasts. Therefore, we will be taking a summer break from the Monday Musings Blog to prepare. We would be so grateful for your prayers as we seek the heart of the Father for this new Restore Ministries Study.

Are you a regular blog reader? We encourage you to explore the blog archives found on the right side of your screen on the website. Our Restore Ministry blogs began in 2013! There are many inspiring and encouraging blogs for you to enjoy this summer and throughout the year. And we would love to hear from you about your favorites!

Maybe you're thinking, "What about the Restore Retreat? I was planning to attend one this year."  We had a spring retreat in March and we are sorry you missed it.  It is our desire to continue to retreat with you; however, our plans for the fall have shifted.  Restore retreats are the heart of this ministry!  And although we are not planning one, we would love to bring a Restore Retreat to your group or church!  Go to the "Book Us" section found on the website menu
to see all of the different retreat themes that are available and contact us. We would love to hear from you! 

More details and dates will follow in the coming months about our Feast for Your Soul Bible Study...and we are cooking up some surprises, too!  So keep looking for Restore posts!

Feasting on Jesus,
Kathy and Sherry

In the last few weeks my mind has been flooded with thoughts of our years of ministry together. Donald was like a spiritual father to me. My own father died suddenly of a heart attack so young and I remember looking outside my kitchen window that day we came home from the hospital and up drove Donald in his truck. I just collapsed into his arms. How did he even know? But he was there. Through the years he was always there to counsel and guide me.
He even baptized me and our children.

Donald loved the Savior like no one I’ve ever met. His driving passion was to lead others to make the wonderful discovery of knowing Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. He had the heart of an evangelist to save the lost. He preached the Word faithfully and powerfully, but always bathed His message in the love and grace of His Lord. I’ve never known anyone else who could quote Scripture like Donald. The Word just poured out of Him. He was our pastor, preacher, advocate, counselor, teacher, friend, leader, advisor and mentor through all those years. He loved our music, but he also supported me in other pursuits such as teaching and writing. 

Donald loved the choir and always encouraged us to bring excellence to the Lord as we sought to lead the hundreds of children, youth and adults whose lives became a part of ours through the years because of the “yes” we said that day. There were lots of fun times and laughter and many feasts through the years too, because Donald was a great cook. He especially loved to cook all that fish he caught for the staff and made delicious homemade biscuits.

As you can imagine, working together in ministry for so long wasn’t always easy. Sometimes we disagreed as we made plans for the services and ministry endeavors. We served through the difficult years of transition and change in worship for the evangelical church in the 80’s and 90’s. Ministry can be hard, and you just have to learn to press through. Donald was there to nurture the faith of a young, strong willed woman, wife and mom trying to find her way and offer grace in this life with Jesus and ministry in the church.

Along with the times of joy, there were also many tears and some long, hard discussions and he was usually right.
But when he wasn’t, there were always the words that came, “Please forgive me. You know I love you.”
​That was one thing I always knew about this man of God. He loved me and I loved him.

Donald retired years before we made the decision to leave the Chapel after thirty one years of ministry. We felt so uncertain of our future at that time. Once again, Donald was there to love and encourage us. The last time I saw Donald was Easter Sunday morning. He had come to worship and hear the choir at the wonderful Community Bible Church where we now serve. I remember looking at Donald's beaming face listening to the choir and singing the beautiful hymn that he had taught me. My last vision of him is singing...

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know, He holds the future.
And life is worth the living, just because He lives.
​
And then, a month later Donald went home to be with Jesus. We closed out his memorial service with that hymn.

I wish I knew how many funerals and weddings we had the privilege of doing together through the years.  Donald preaching the gospel, me singing, and Ken at the keyboard leading worship. 

Donald always told me that he wanted me to sing “It is Well with My Soul” at his funeral. When the time came, I wasn’t sure how I would make it through the emotions that I felt.
I loved him and his dear family so much.

 I asked so many to pray and the Lord by His grace carried me. As I looked out over the huge gathering of 1600-1800 people, my heart soared with love for the Savior and for those who had gathered for the love of this man, and I was able to sing the glorious truths in this beloved hymn.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, 
when sorrows like sea billows roll; 
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, 
It is well, it is well with my soul. 

It is well with my soul, 
it is well, it is well with my soul. 

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! 
My sin, not in part but the whole, 
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, 
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, 
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll; 
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, 
even so, it is well with my soul.

One day…. We will all be together again! 
​
For the service, we gathered a choir together of about eighty people who had sung with us through the years.
They came from all over and we sang....

“To God be the Glory, for the things He has done.
With His blood He has saved me, with His power He has raised me…
To God be the Glory, for the things He has done.”

That same week we had two other funerals and a wedding. It was quite a week! I think there’s a movie with a similar title… Our week could have been titled 3 funerals and  a wedding - and Ken's piano students' recital! 

It is such a privilege to be a part of so many people's lives during their times of great joy and sorrow. I just missed doing the services this past week with our beloved Donald. As we ministered at each service in recent days, I realized that our lives had become interwoven with these people because of the impact of the gospel that has forever changed us  through the love of Donald and the gift of our music ministry. I’m so glad we said “yes.” Of course, it really all began when Donald said "yes" over sixty years ago to the Savior and then to his calling as evangelist and pastor. That decision has changed the lives of thousands through the years, including our own. 

Ultimately, the path of our lives comes down to a choice that we have all been given. Jesus chose to die on the cross for your sin and mine. Saying "yes" to Jesus and the gift of salvation He offers will change your life forever. He has a beautiful plan for your life as well....a life of hope, love, promise, and purpose. 
Have you put your faith and trust in Jesus as your Savior?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 
​that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

We live in a world where the focus of our culture is “self” and learning to say “no”. And it’s true that we need to learn to discern when to say “yes” and when to say “no”.  We can easily over commit to things that are not God’s best for us.
But we need to be careful that we don’t miss saying “yes” to the Savior, to what God is calling us to do and whom He is calling us to be.
​ 
That one word can enrich your life in ways you would have never dreamed or imagined!

I’m so grateful that I brought Jesus my brokenness and said “yes” thirty five years ago. 
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, 
But He made something beautiful of my life!

​To God be the Glory,
It is well with my soul.
Kathy

If you would like to see Donald Tabb Celebration and Remembrance Service you can visit it below.
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The service is full of wonderful testimonies about the life of ministry of Donald and just a sampling of the thousands of lives he touched and saved with the love of Jesus. It will inspire you to say “yes.” 
 If you would like to hear the songs by the choir and myself, they are found at 15:42 (To God be the Glory - choir)  and 52:40  (It is Well with My Soul). 

Resources: Oh How He Loves You and Me, Kurt Kaiser; Something Beautiful, Bill Gaither; My Tribute(To God Be the Glory), Andrae Crouch, It is Well With My Soul, Horatio Spafford; Because He Lives, Bill Gaither

We are so blessed to have Margaret Kemp to share with us her musings.  Her words are thought provoking as she challenges us to live up to our full potential and put our abilities and talents to Kingdom use.  Kingdom ventures are often scary and risky business, but with God at the helm, we can rest assure that His grace is sufficient and where we are weak, He is strong!  Be encouraged today as Margaret shares Kingdom Ventures!​

​Play it safe or take a risk----what does God expect His followers to do? Do we use our small, imperfect abilities, or do we leave the kingdom work to those who are REALLY talented?

​In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus told a story about a company owner who was going on a business trip.  Before he left, the owner gave three employees a significant amount of capital to invest.  He gave his high-performer five talents -- an amount considerably more that a lifetime’s worth of wages.  The second rising star in the company got two talents.  The third man hadn’t yet proven his abilities, but the boss still gave him one talent. A regular worker would have to labor 16 1/2 years to earn that much money, so the third guy still had a tremendous opportunity.

When the boss returned, the first man had doubled the capital. He got more responsibility, and probably a promotion, a bonus, a raise, and a party.  He was invited to “enter the joy of his lord.” (v. 23) With shrewd investments and trading, the second man also doubled the amount he was given.  Kudos from the boss. Another promotion. Another party.
But the third man returned his talent. He’d dug a hole and buried the money in the backyard.  He hadn’t even put it in the bank where it could earn interest.  

Maybe his reluctance is understandable. He might have been thinking,” What if I botch this up? What do I know about this investing stuff? Better to just make sure this one talent here is safe.”
​
But if we look closely, we’ll notice three things about the third employee, whom the boss calls “wicked and lazy.”

The underlying principle in this parable is that Jesus values faithfulness. Dr. Thomas Constable(*) defines faithfulness as “using what God has entrusted to one to advance His interests in the world. It involves making a spiritual profit with the deposit God has entrusted to each disciple.” 

God gives each of us talents, abilities, spiritual gifts and resources to invest for His kingdom. So, what keeps us from using our talents?
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Do we, like the unfaithful servant, have a flawed image of Our Lord? Do we imagine Him as a harsh taskmaster who gives us a job then sits back to watch us fail?  Do we forget that He’ll give us the power to accomplish what He assigns?

Maybe deep down, we’re not on board with our mission to “make disciples of all men.” Maybe we’ve secretly bought into the world’s philosophy that it’s impolite—or offensive—to share our faith. 

My problem is fear. I fear rejection and ridicule as I make tentative efforts to use my meager abilities. I suspect this is where many of you struggle, also. 

I listen to the voice in my head that says, “You’re not good enough.” (I can guess whose voice that is.)
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But what if that nagging, clamoring voice in my head is causing such a ruckus that I can’t hear the voice of the Master? What if Jesus is saying, “Hey, about those talents I gave you? What have you done with them? How are you using them for My kingdom?”

​And what if, instead, I heeded the voice of God’s Word? 

​It’s never too late to begin. I think of my own sweet “mother-in-love,” Carol Sawyer, who has been a mentor to me in my walk with the Lord. She began playing the cello at the age of 60. She’s in her 80’s now and still plays in orchestras and ensembles. Her cello’s deep, heart-stirring tones have resonated in churches and concert halls, weddings and nursing homes. She’s poured into the lives of other musicians. She’s invested her talents for God’s kingdom. 

​So now, I’m using my small ability to encourage you today: Don’t bury your gifts! God wants you to use them!
What gifts and abilities has God given you? Have you been making excuses instead of making investments in the kingdom? What can you do today to develop and use your gift? 

Maybe that involves stepping out of your comfort zone, but consider this: 

If we refuse the risk, we’ll never reap the rewards. 
We miss out on hearing, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your lord.”

Let’s dig up that rusty, buried talent and invest it in the kingdom, then trust God for the results!

For His Kingdom Purpose,
​Margaret Kemp

*Resource: Dr. Thomas Constable - Founder of Dallas Seminary's Field Education Department and the Center for Biblical Studies and former faculty member.  He is Senior Professor Emeritus of Bible Exposition, Adjunct Professor in Bible Exposition and has written commentaries on each book of the Bible.