Volume 19, No.6
June 2004

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CONTENTS

Our Refuge & Strength

Anticipation

Best of Life
By Rev. Larry W. Greiner

The Heart of a Father
By Wendy Greiner Lefko

From a Grateful Heart

Fatherly Training

Rules for Life

Father & Son

My Possessions

Praise & Prayer

Schedule

 

OUR REFUGE & STRENGTH

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." The phrase "very present" means always available, immediate. Faith must rest in the assurance that God’s Spirit is abiding in you all hours of the day and night, continually. And because He took up a habitation in you, He listens to your every prayerful thought and cry. We know that if He hears us, He will grant our petitions. The Holy Spirit will move heaven and earth for any child of God who takes time to pour out his heart to the Father with unrushed, unhurried time in His presence. . . . God will hear and answer you when He sees your willingness to shut off all media for a season, cry out your heart, pour it out before Him, and trust He will respond. The time has come for brokenness before the Lord, for a faith borne out of contrite intercession. God will hear and answer." —David Wilkerson

ANTICIPATION
Lord, keep me always ready, waiting for admittance to Thy presence. Weaken my attachment to earthly things. May I hold life loosely in my hand, knowing that I receive it on condition of its surrender. As pain and suffering betoken transitory health, may I not shrink from a death that introduces me to the freshness of eternal youth. —Selected

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THE BEST OF LIFELINE

 

Years ago during the Korean conflict a young Communist officer ordered the execution of a Christian civilian. When he learned that his prisoner was in charge of an orphanage and was doing much good in caring for small children, he decided to spare his life but kill his son instead. The 19-year-old boy was shot in the presence of his father.

Later, when the tide of events changed, this same officer was captured, tried and condemned to death for war crimes. Before the sentence could be carried out, however, the Christian father pleaded for the life of the Communist who had killed his son. He said that if justice were to be followed, this man would be executed. But since he was so young and blindly idealistic, he probably thought his actions were right.

"Give him to me," he said, "and I’ll teach him about the Savior."

The request was granted, and the father took the murderer of his son into his own home. That remarkable demonstration of self-sacrificing love and forgiveness bore much fruit, for that Communist became a Christian Pastor!

If someone murdered a member of our family, how many of us would be willing to show such kindness to the killer? May God grant us that degree of grace.

The Lord Jesus said from the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." As the ones he died for, can we do less?

"But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them who hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them who despitefully use you" (Luke 6:27,28).

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THE HEART OF A FATHER 

By Wendy Greiner Lefko

(Dedicated to my father,Wm. Claire Greiner, and to all fathers)

The heart of a father,
It protects and it guides
It teaches, it preaches
It cares and provides.

The heart of a father,
It plants and it feeds
It stirs up the soil
While on bended knees.

The heart of a father,
It toils without measure
To lay up on earth
A Heavenly treasure.

The heart of a father,
It seeks not its own
Its goal is to gain
Glory for God alone.

The heart of a father,
So strong, pure and true
Looks after his family
As God tells him to.

The heart of a father,
May not gain man’s applause
For the heart of a father
Seeks a Heavenly cause.

The heart of a father,
Strives not for earthly thrones
For the heart of a father
Beats for Jesus alone.

And this heart is a refuge
For his children and wife
For his heart is the family’s
Love, strength, and life.

—©2004

"By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches" (Proverbs 24:3,4).

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FROM A GRATEFUL HEART
After three months in the hospital and convalescent/rehab center, I rejoice in being home and able to write a personal note to you dear friends who have stood so faithfully with our family during these difficult days. Each day Ruth delivered your loving cards, letters, phone messages and e-mails and personal gifts for expenses. The scriptures and thoughts you shared were used of the Lord to encourage and comfort me. Thank you for ministering to me and to all our family.

During the long, trying days, often deprived of food or water, I drank from the fountain God opened for me in the "wilderness" of pain and suffering. There were intimate moments with Jesus that are almost too sacred to mention. Some years ago I penned the following song, not knowing how meaningful it would be one day down the road:

God gave me a thorn when I asked for a gift,
And it pierced my heart through and through;
I wondered why He should do this for me,
Then He showed me what His love would do.

God used that thorn to pin aside
The veil that hid His face,
Through tears I saw my blessed Lord
Extending His mercy and grace.

 

What God wanted me to realize was that He who brought a pattern and beauty into a world that He fashioned out of nothing could also bring a pattern and beauty out of brokenness in my life.

I had my 3rd chemo on May 17th, and will be having further blood work to determine my situation. There is still a long way to go in restoring my strength and regaining my weight, but He who is my Creator and Designer, my Revealer and Comforter, my Mediator and Savior, is also my Strengthener and Restorer. I give Him glory and praise!

Claire Greiner

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It had been a long, rainy afternoon during which four-year-old Chris stared morosely out the window. As the rain finally slowed to a drizzle and the sun began to come out, he exclaimed, "Look Mom, it’s cheering up!"

FATHERLY TRAINING (BRING YOUR SON UP OR DOWN)

To Bring Down A Son:

Let him have plenty of spending money.

Permit him to choose his own companions without restraint or direction.

Give him a key to the house and allow him to return home anytime late at night.

Make no inquiry as to where and with whom he spends his leisure moments.

Get him to understand that manners make a good substitute for morals.

Teach him to expect pay for every act of helpfulness to others.

Let him spend Sunday hours, between services, on the street.

Be careful never to let him hear your voice in prayer for his salvation or spiritual growth.

 

To Bring Up A Son:

Make home the brightest and most attractive place on earth.

Make him responsible for the performance of a limited number of daily duties.

Never punish him in anger.

Do not ridicule his conceits, but rather talk frankly on matters in which he is interested.

Let him feel free to invite his friends to your home and table.

Be careful to impress upon his mind that making character is more important than making money.

Live Christ before him all the time, then you will be able to talk Christ to him with power.

Be much in prayer for his salvation and spiritual growth.

 

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I do not know whether my future lies through calm or storm, whether the way is strewn with broken ties or friendships warm.

This much I know—what’er the pathway trod, all else unknown, I shall be guided safely on, for God will keep His own.

RULES FOR DAILY LIFE

 

BEGIN THE DAY WITH GOD

OPEN THE BIBLE WITH GOD

GO THROUGH THE DAY WITH GOD

CONVERSE IN MIND WITH GOD

CONCLUDE THE DAY WITH GOD.

LIE DOWN AT NIGHT WITH GOD.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon Thee, because he trusts in Thee." (Isa. 26:3).

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FATHER AND SON

Last night my little boy confessed to me some childish wrong; and kneeling at my knee, he prayed with tears: "Dear God, make me a man like Daddy—wise and strong. I know you can."

Then while he slept, I knelt beside his bed, confessed my sins, and prayed, with low-bowed head: "Oh God, make me a child like my child here—Pure, guileless, true, and trusting Thee, with faith sincere."

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MY POSSESIONS

AS A CHILD OF GOD I HAVE:

Unending relationship (Jn. 10:28,29)
Unfailing provision (Phil. 4:19)
Unconditional love (Jer.31:3)
Undying kindness (Eph. 2:7)
Unwavering companionship (Mt. 28:20)
Unlimited resources (Mal. 3:10)
Unfading inheritance (1 Pet. 1:3,4)
Unspeakable joy (1 Pet. 1:8)
Unmatched protection (Ps. 27:1-3)
Unequaled instruction (1 Cor. 2:12-16)
Unsearchable riches (Eph.3:8)
Undisturbed home (Jn. 14:2,3)
Unfathomable peace (Phil.4:7)
Unfolding glory (2 Cor.. 3:18)

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PRAISE & PRAYER  

Praise for commitments made to Christ in our meetings.

Praise and Prayer for provisions made for the work, medical needs, and the notebook computer for Claire.

Praise and Prayer for Bob’s Korean youth ministry.

Prayer for upcoming summer ministry.

 

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GREINER ITINERARY

 

June 5 PM C.E.F. of Bucks Co.,  Davisville Baptist Church, Pa. 

June 6 AM Calvary E.C. Church, Birdsboro, Pa.

June 4,6,11,13,18,20,25,27 Bob’s Korean Youth Ministry

June 26-July3 Dallas Greiner’s mission trip to Matamoros, Mexico

July 4 America's Keswick, Afternoon Concert

July 10-17 Ruth and Claire’s 50th Wedding Anniversary & Greiner
               Family Reunion

August 14-20 Montrose Bible Conference

August 29AM Hope Community Church, Lancaster, Pa.

(Any updates will be made in next "Hearthstone")

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