Thanking God for Carlin and you, today!!

My Dear Marcia:

Trust you have had a wonderful, enjoyable few days with friends and family celebrating Christmas.  Today has been a quiet day after the hustle and bustle of December ministry at Willingdon and the past week of precious time with family!!!  After much entertaining, and busyness over the past few days, I cozied by the woodstove!!  It was such a treat!!!  Joined by my Bible and a book, God brought Carlin and you to my heart and mind.

In January, I begin a course from Western Seminary on "Women in Leadership", and one of the books I'm required to read is "Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership."  I started the first chapter today, which begins "And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?" Matthew 16:26 NLT  The first chapter reinforces the importance and essential truth of "soul care" and the importance of leadership flowing out of solitude and God encounters.  As I closed this chapter, in solitude and serenity of soul, the Holy Spirit reminded me of our beloved Pastor Carlin singing "I love You, Lord, and I lift my voice, to worship You, Oh My Soul rejoice!!  Take Joy my King, in what You hear, May it be a sweet, sweet sound to Your ear."  I was reminded of his godly influence and strong spiritual leadership and knew this flowed out of his personal God encounters and the soul care He provided to others was the direct result of the time He spent in solitude to care for his soul.  Clive and I are often reminded of Carlin's leadership, His genuine love for the Lord and God's people.  We miss him, and know if we sense His absence, how much greater you must miss him!!!  May you be comforted today, my sweet sister, to know that God continues to minister and encounter souls, strengthening them in leadership through you and Carlin's godly example!!  How blessed we are!!!

As December draws to a close and the calendar turns to Jan. 2016, be reminded, my precious one, that you are loved with an everlasting love, (Jer. 31:3) and deeply appreciated!!!  I pray for you, thanking God for you!! I am also reminded as we prepare for a New Year of Luke 12:37 "Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake (watching) when he comes."  What great hope and anticipation we share as we watch for His return!!!

Prayers & Love,

Amy

Trying to be Strong

One of the last things Carlin said to me was, "Marcia, be strong."  Here I am, trying to be strong.      

Family

Comfort with family.

Comforts with friends.

Memories. Dr Alex

Dr. Paul Magnus, recipient of Grandpa's robe.

Grandson, Alex, hamming it up with Grandpa's doctoral robe.

Comfort in gardening.

Some of the family.

Sunday was the one year mark since Carlin’s Memorial Service

Click here to watch the service again.

 

A few days ago, a friend, a dear long-time friend, called to ask how I was doing and to pass on some words of comfort.  I was blessed.  But after the conversation, it hit me that here is someone who reaches out to speak comfort, when he is needing encouragements living with his dear wife who has Alzheimers.  Day in and day out, as the days roll on, he is there helping her.  I think I failed to comfort him.  Pray for him, as you do pray for those you know who so need a touch.

 

Sunday was the one year mark since Carlin’s Memorial Service.  These days are lonelier.  But God gives me so many special things.  i.e. coming across what Isaac Watts wrote: 

“My God how endless is Thy love!

                       Thy gifts are every evening new,

            And morning mercies from above

                        gently distill like early dew.

            Thou spreadest the curtains of the night—

                        Great Guardian of my sleeping hours;

            Thy Sovereign word restores the light

                        And quickens all my drowsy powers.

            I yield my powers to Thy command

                        To Thee I consecrate my days;

            Perpetual blessings from Thy hand

                        demand perpetual songs of praise.”

 

Those last two phrases hit me.  Yes, perpetual praise.  God inhabits the praises of His people!  The spirit of praise for the spirit of heaviness.  I will sing praise because He is worthy of all my praise.  (I feel like I’m preaching a sermon!  Not intended.)

 

Anita Corrine Donahue prayed this—it expresses so much where I am at right now:

“Thank you for loving me.  From You came my very being.  In You is my course of life.  You know my needs, my abilities, my longings.  You listen to my joys, my sadness, my frustrations, my dreams.  You are my everlasting Father.

Thank You for always being present with me.  When I call on Your name, I praise You for already being here.  My Abba, which art in Heaven.  Tender love.  You hear my cry.  You see me whole, complete, pure, healed because You see me through Jesus.  Thank You for providing a Paraclete, the One Who is able to carry away the sins of the whole world.  Thank you that Jesus is there at Your right hand, interceding for me.  My comfort by day, and my song in the night, my hope, my salvation, my all.”

See how wonderfully God gives comforts throughout the days!  Different things are reminders of His awesome, unfailing, everlasting love and care.  Even phone calls from dear old friends.

I trust you are blessed today.  Thank you for your notes telling me you are still praying.

Love,

Marcia