See You Later

December 30

“Everything will be fine you’ll see,” his mother said lovingly.
“But suppose the world does end,” the boy insisted, “I won’t ever see you again.”
She assured him, “I’ll see you in Heaven. You will go up from here and your Dad and I from the Civic Center.”

“How will I find you in Heaven? It will be more crowded than the Civic Center.”

She hugged him. “Remember Heaven has pearly gates? Wait for me there. Ok?”

“That’s a deal Mom.”

“Mizpah, because he said, ‘May the Lord watch between me and you when we are absent one from another.” (Genesis 31:49)

(That's a deal friend. Travelling, see you early next year.)

The Day After

December 26

The Christmas wrappings are trash, the stockings are empty and soon it will be time to store the decorations for another year. I admit to a day after Christmas let down. Why can’t we smile some more and wish each other happiness as we did yesterday. I want to linger a little longer to the notion of peace on earth. I want to hold onto Christmas everyday and not go back to ‘normal.’

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)

Christmas Away from Home

December 25

It is my first Christmas away from home courtesy of the U.S. Army. I’m stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. My view of Christmas is snow, sleighs and evergreens.
Here there are palm trees, plastic wreaths and cardboard snowmen. I’m just not in the Christmas spirit. I go to the chapel for a candle light service. Leaving it dawns on me that the first Christmas was in a desert. I get the message loud and clear.

“Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the City of David Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
(Luke 2:11)

Christmas Eve Services

December 24

It is Christmas Eve and we are to give the “moment of sharing” tonight at First Church of Christ in Wethersfield, Ct. Joy has a bad case of laryngitis. We pray hard.
At the 5:30 service she is barely audible.
By the 7:30 her voice is a little louder.
At the 9:30 service her voice is stronger.
At midnight she sounds like herself. I share with that congregation how the Lord has been answering our prayers. There is applause for God. Driving home Joy turns to say something and her voice is gone. It doesn’t return to normal for two days.

"With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)

Ice Breaker

December 22

Many of us hadn’t met before so the hostess played a game to break the ice. Each of us was to say three things about ourselves, one of which was a lie. I said:
“I spent a day with poet Robert Frost;President George Bush Sr. greeted me; “Tony Randall said he saved my life.”
Actually it was Barbara Bush who greeted me. The game is an exercise in how to deceive by twisting the truth. The master deceiver, Satan, does this all the time..

“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (Matthew 24:5)

Advent can get Personal

December 21

It is Advent but our nation is at war.
The Priest’s heart is heavy with the killing and by the atrocities men do to other men.
He says he turned on the TV and a woman is asked what she would like most this Christmas. She sings, "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me."
The Priest says, "I wept. I knew what I had to do and it has to begin with me," We agree, to find peace it starts with us.

Jesus lived the words of that song, "Let there be peace and let it begin with me."

"I did not come to judge the world but to save it." (John 12:47)

The Best Place to Be

December 19

The front page of The Hartford Courant has a picture of toll stations on a bridge. Both have green lights but one is empty while the other has a line of cars. The caption explains the commuters are going out of their way to show their appreciation to a friendly toll taker on his last day at work. That picture shows me I can be God's aroma of love to everyone, no matter what I'm doing or where. Isn’t that the best place to be, in His will?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)

"Its a wonderful Life"

December 18

The video I bought was Frank Capra's classic, "It's a Wonderful Life." I didn’t know the story but I like Jimmy Stewart.

The main character George Bailey is a good man but blames himself when things go wrong. He had misplaced his faith.
The message is an important reminder that when our heart is right and we help others God will bail us out just as George Bailey was delivered by an angel in the film. It is a wonderful life when we see God in it.

“The blessing of the Lord makes one rich and He adds no sorrow to it.”
(Proverbs 10:22)

Why we have Hope

December 17

She was in her 80's and walked a mile everyday to the church office arriving with a smile and a kind word for everybody.

Then there was Leo, “Mr. Fix It,” drawing after his car rolled backwards demolishing a metal shed he had just erected. What are you doing Leo? “I'm designing a new shed and this time I'm making it out of wood, so if this ever happens again, at least I'll have some kindling left."

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Shopping

December 16

While shopping Joy saw a young mother struggling with two little girls. She was speaking sharply to them.
Joy said to those girls “aren't you fortunate to have such a nice Mom who brings you shopping with her.” Walking down the aisle she heard the woman address her girls in a pleasant tone of voice.
“That was God using me to reach that young mother." Joy mused, "God wants to use us to give words of encouragement."

I can do that I thought. Who can I serve?

"Whoever desires to become great among you,let him be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26)

A Memorable Lesson

December 15

It is my big chance to do the midday café show, on campus radio. I am the disc
jockey and my own engineer. The hour goes well and I fantasize some pretty coed making her way over to Davis Hall to get a glimpse of the man behind the voice. I end on time and reach for the main power switch. HORRORS. It is already off. My voice has never left the studio. If I am not connected to my power source all I do is for naught.

"I am the vine. You are the branches, he who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Listen to God Speak

December 14

God speaks to us in many ways, most notably through His Word. Many times I have picked up my Bible and there is the very passage I need for that moment.
Charlie, a friend, while laying in traction thought, “Ok God you have my attention.”
God wants to interact with us. Listen and notice God’s way in your life and embrace the Almighty’s love.

“See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from Heaven.” (Hebrews 12:25)

Christmas Presents

December 13

Every year this woman has raised funds and donated gifts to needy families. But this season she was feeling depressed over not selling her house and had no energy for anything.One weekend her house sold and on Monday her boss informed her that all the sales associates decided not to exchange Christmas presents but buy toys instead and donate them to ‘her project.’

She said, “It was God saying, Ok the house is sold here are the toys, now go distribute them. Isn’t our God awesome?”

“Oh give thanks to the Lord,For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.”
(Psalm 136:1)

Plan G

December 12

Our senior pastoer is being called out of the church but he doesn't know where he is going yet. He has resigned in obedient faith. When he and his wife told their children their oldest boy said, "But Dad there are no jobs out there."

Tonight that pastor peached on Plan G. (God's plan) We may begoing through plan a, then plan b etc...but its Plan G that matters. The Virgin Mary's plans changed in an instant when the angel Gabriel announced she would give birth to the Christ Child. Mary was troubled but responded:

"For no word from God will ever fail. I am the Lord's servant." (Luke 1:37-38)

Christmas Carols

December 11

There we were, about 20 strong including about eight young children, singing carols in the dining room of an assited living facility. Several residents and their visitors sang along with us from their tables. Then we went singing to those who had their meals at their bedside. We left wishing all a Merry Christmas. Joy exclaimed, "This is the best thing I've done this Christmas."
It is wonderful all the little things God does through us.

"I was sick and you visited me. Assuredly I say to you inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:36-40)

A Little Gift

December 10

As advisers to a handicapped facility we would sometimes learn of needs of the
individual residents. One lady wanted a special attachment for her apartment, which was not covered by financial assistance.I gave the director a small check to buy the item. Months later during an open house Joy went on a guided tour. Driving home she says, “I’m glad I came, otherwise I would never have known about your gift. The resident saw my name tag and told me how appreciative she is.”

“and your Farther who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:4)

Freedom

December 9

“You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
December ninth is Joy’s freedom day. On this day a spiritual sister helped her through The Steps To Freedom in Christ outlined by Neil T Anderson, author of The Bondage Breaker. “Now I know the truth, God loves me, I am His child,” she says. “God used this to open my eyes and ears to His truth.” In a symbolic ceremony Joy gave up those things keeping her in bondage from knowing the freedom that God offers all of us.

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”(James 4:7)

Christmas Cards

December 8

I look at Christmas cards differently than I did some years ago. I used to send the religious cards to the minister and a few church friends, the Currier and Ives scenes to most people on my card list and the humorous cards to family and close friends. Now I send cards appropriate to the “ reason for the season.” I don’t write Xmas anymore, to me that is crossing Christ out of Christmas.
One Christmas card I receive stands out. Its message is a timely reminder.

“From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.”
(John 1:16)

Making Plans, Taking Steps

Week of December 5

I began preaching when I was twenty years old in a little church in Neapolis, Ohio. I was married that same year. Marilyn and I thought we would stay in that town all of our lives.

It was our hometown, our children were born there and our parents lived nearby. I said, “ I will never live in the city.” Be careful with the “never’s.”

In 1964 the Elders from North Highlands Church of Christ on Archer Avenue in Fort Wayne were determined that we were to come to this church. We prayed over it and felt God’s call, so we moved to Fort Wayne.

The Church flourished and grew and helped spawned Christ Church in Georgetown. We soon had outgrown our building so we made plans to build a million dollar building in the suburbs of Fort Wayne: North Highlands Community.

We went to a bank that promised financing, we had plans drawn and we held a groundbreaking ceremony with the mayor there. There was even a picture in the newspaper and a contractor on the site. That year, 1973, was a severe downturn of the economy. When we went to the bank to obtain our loan for 800 thousand dollars we were told the money is no longer available. What do you do?

We had made plans and promises. What was God thinking? What did God want us to do?

I said, “We are going to prayer.” I had heard about early morning praying in Korea. I said, “we're going to go to prayer at 5:30 in the morning. and we're going to pray until we get an answer.”

That went on for six weeks. You know how early 5:30 in the morning is when you start praying at that hour for six weeks, seven mornings a week? I'm a morning person but I was never consistently up that many mornings, going to bed later every night.

One morning following prayer, I was with a group of pastors who heard the mayor of our city, Ivan Lebamoff , speak and challenge each of us to look at the downtown area of Fort Wayne, where everyone was leaving at that time in 1973. The mayor urged us to look at the downtown as a place of potential, of opportunity. God laid it on my heart to remember the empty church building at the corner of Broadway and Wayne, which had been the old Wayne Street Methodist Church.

That morning I went to that building, opened the door, went in, and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. There before me was the floor plan that we were going to build and still intact since1871. It was constructed of sturdy oak, had stained glass, a pipe

organ, a wood floor gymnasium, and a commercial kitchen. Altogether it was 48,00 square feet of usable building. For two hours I walked around in there with unbelief, arguing with God, saying, this can't be, how can we do this? I went home and I couldn't talk. Marilyn thought I had been in an some sort of accident.

That night as Marilyn and I walked I said, “Honey, I've dreamed a dream or seen a vision.”

After I shared with her my amazing discovery she said, “Bob I told you two weeks ago we should buy that building when we went past it.”

I hadn’t heard her but God did and the Broadway Christian Church was born.

About eighty families, approximately 300 people came with us from the suburbs to the city. The people who came interestingly enough were mostly the ones who came to Christ during my nine years at North Highlands. Our first service at Broadway Christian was held on January 6, 1974.

I began preaching on discipleship and what it means to seriously follow Jesus. I preached two and a half years on that theme. I preached for seven consecutive Sundays on repentance. I had never done that before in my life.

On one of those Sunday mornings our Church School superintendent came with his wife at his side weeping and he confessed he was a closet alcoholic. His Sunday School class with an elder leading them surrounded that man and vowed to stay with him until he was sober. That morning was a high water mark spiritually for the people knew then it was a safe place to confess sins.

I am retired from Broadway Christian now but we still live in Fort Wayne most of the year. I look back over 28 years at not only the growth in numbers (2,000 people and five services in two locations) but the organizations and churches that grew out of that one as we tried to be good disciples to our neighborhood and beyond.

It is obvious now what happened back in 1973 when the bank failed to give us a promised loan. God saved us from ourselves.

“A man’s heart devises his way; but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

Pastor Bob Yawberg
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Picking out a Christmas Tree

December 6

Every year when I lived in Connecticut we’d head out to Bob Merriman’s Tree Farm in Burlington to pick out a live tree. The kids and dog loved roaming the woods searching for the perfect tree.
My children and now grandchildren are like those trees. We get them as seedlings with a short time in which to shape them and give them roots. I’ve shared the excitement of searching for a Christmas tree with them. I must share with them the joy of knowing the maker of that tree.

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)

Christmas at Home

December 5

My first Christmas was 1933. I was a depression baby and grew up in a working neighborhood. Like “The Waltons,” we didn’t have much but we had each other.
Christmas was a special time. We had a cut tree, electric candles in the windows, a fresh wreath on the door. Unlike the Waltons, Bible reading was not central in my family. However, my parents modeled moral values and I know the Lord blessed us. God loves a loving family.

“ And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children.
And the hearts of the children to their fathers…” (Malachi 4:6)

Grace and Mercy in Time of Need

December 2

My van is zipping along when I hear “whap.” The battery gauge drops to zero. I exit and head for the nearest gas station,
“Here’s your trouble, “ the owner says pulling out a shredded belt. While waiting for a tow truck I realize how blessed I am. Yesterday I was driving this van on a dark interstate with miles between exits.

Praise the Lord for his continue mercies.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)