I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.             Ezekiel 34:26

Even though Gail has come down with a bad case of intestinal flu, we have been reflecting on the many blessings that we do have. The week of March 18th our son Roger attended meetings for work in the Cleveland, Ohio area. We agreed to meet him in Cleveland on Thursday to attend a concert
by the Cleveland Orchestra that would take place at Severance Hall. It was a double blessing in that Roger wanted us to join him for the concert and the music played by the orchestra was magnificent.
It made us realize what a blessing to have a close knit family and to be able to enjoy such a beautiful gift from God as music.

                              Severance Hall-Main Floor view of stage   

                             Severance Hall-Balcony view of stage

                                     Severance Hall exterior

Gail often will play music while she paints, especially when it is a dark and dreary day. Music lifts her spirit and helps her to be more creative as she paints. The right kind of music has a way of ministering to the soul. Many of the Psalms were written as music for the Israelites as part of their worship. Down through the ages God has gifted many people to be able to write worship music such as Isaac Watts, Fanny Crosby, and currently Chris Tomlen.

It might not seem like a blessing to some people, but we feel God has given us a real gift in our two pups, Patsy and Penny. They have worked their way into our hearts so that they are now part of our family. They have become good company for us and are great companions for each other. One is very vivacious and the other timid and subdued. In fact, Penny has never barked. When Patsy barks Penny runs the other way. Of course, their favorite thing is going for a walk which we try to do every day.
We understand that people who have dogs live longer, and it's probably because of the extra activity they require.

Paul, Patsy and Penny cheering on the Indiana Hoosiers in the NCAA tournament

As we ponder this Holy Week, we realize what a blessing it is for us to remember Christ's death and celebrate His resurrection. Because of this we have hope, and we are blessed and encouraged.

Praise the LORD. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; Praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute, praise with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals,
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
                                                                                                                Psalm 150:1-6

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny

This is what the LORD says-your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:  "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."  Isaiah 48:17

Last Wednesday our church hosted the Ladies' Lenten Fellowship Breakfast in which women from many local churches come together for fellowship and worship.  It was a very special time with beautiful decorations, delicious food, wonderful music, and an amazing speaker, Audrey Clay. Audrey is well known in this community since she has ministered here for many years. Sharing with the ladies, she pointed out seven things you should not give up for Lent. We would like to share encourage you with those at this time:

                Audrey Clay with Jill Breckel at the Ladies' Lenten Breakfast


1)   Don't give up the gift of laughter.  Eccl. 3:4, Prov. 17:22

2)   Don't give up thinking and talking about the good things that our happening.  Phil. 4:9,
Rom. 12:1-2

3)   Don't give up worshipping and praising the Lord.  Ps. 8:2,  Ps. 50:23

4)   Don't give up reminding yourself how much Jesus loves us. Eph. 3:18

5)   Don't give up sharing the love of Jesus.  II Cor. 2:14

6)   Don't give up reading God's Word every day. I Sam. 9:27

7)   Don't give up praying.  James 5:16

It's hard to believe that Easter is less than two weeks away.  May the above seven points be a reminder of what not to do in preparation for that holy day.

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.    Ephesians 4:11-13

It is amazing how God works things out so that His work can be accomplished by His followers.  Just recently Paul spent 12 days in the Dominican Republic helping two pastors on the island.  He was part of a team from our church that served in the DR.  When we left Michigan for the mission trip we had no idea what we would be doing.  However, God did and He saw to it that the right people were assembled for the task that was ahead of us.  When we got to the Dominican, everyone was able to use their talent whether it was painting, plumbing cement work or digging for a septic system.  Each person handled the task they were given with great fervor, and the service to those pastors was completed.  This was because everyone was willing to use the talent that God had given them which made it a real team effort.

      Work & Witness team ready to leave for the Dominican Republic 2/13/13


Gail is working with a group of ladies preparing for a Ladies Lenten Breakfast at our church.  Again it is not surprising that God has assembled ladies with differing talents to be able to work together to plan, organize and carry out the breakfast.  What one lady is not able to do, it is the strength of another lady on the committee. 

The above two examples are the body of Christ at work.  He uses people with few or many talents to build His kingdom.  The important thing is that we must be obedient and willing to us whatever talent or talents He has given us.  Think of the blessing you will be to others and the tremendous blessings that will come back to you.

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.            Psalm 31:24

As we were experiencing the snow storm last Wednesday, we received via email from our daughters pictures of pink blossoms blooming in Atlanta.  Comparing the pictures with what we saw out our window, the contrast was shocking. Even though our weather had nothing in common with that in Atlanta, we still have hope that spring is just around the corner here in southern Michigan. It is always exciting to be thinking about and planning for those spring activities such as picnics, planting flowers, baseball, and the smell of the first lawn mowing. Spring is such a harbinger of new life. We often see baby rabbits, birds nesting in a wreath on our front door, Canadian geese flying over, and young fawns in our back yard..

                              Home on Amsler Drive-February 27, 2013

                              Atlanta, Georgia-February 27, 2013

                                Atlanta, Georgia-February 27, 2013

Spring is also the season in which we celebrate Easter.. As Christians, we remember the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and the hope we have for eternal life through what He did for us.  Hope is such a key word as we live our daily lives. It gives us encouragement and comfort and strength.

May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny