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April 23, 2009
Spring flowers and Spring play
I have put new pictures up (finally). Last night was opening night for the Spring production at Wil's school. Wil is playing the part of Daddy Warbucks and he did an excellent job in acting and singing. You can see Wil with his new hair cut.
I have also put up some pictures of some of the Spring flowers in our garden. They are a wonderful reminder of Karen's love for God's creation and her working with God in creating beauty around our home.
Posted by David at 10:04 PM
April 2, 2009
A Silver Lining
Lampinen Prayer Bulletin
April 2, 2009
Dear Friends,
This morning’s reading in “Streams in the Desert” talked about looking for the silver lining in the clouds that come into our lives. Almost laughingly I said to myself, “How could there possibly be a silver lining to my ‘cloud’ of losing Karen?” There just isn’t one. How could there be any good, any silver lining, in losing a spouse? Then I read Psalm 145. Here are the verses that stood out to me.
“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all that he has made.” (v.9)
“The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.” (v.13)
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.” (v.17)
There is nothing like a good psalm to take one’s mind off oneself and onto the Lord. His goodness, compassion, faithfulness and righteousness were getting lost in the cloud of grief.
Then my mind turned to John 11 where Jesus met with Martha and Mary after their brother had died. They both came with the same thought, “Why didn’t you come and do something? How many times have I asked that same question? Jesus response was different for each of them. To Martha he spoke of the hope of resurrection. With Mary he just wept. For me this morning he did both. So is there a silver lining in my cloud? Yes! My silver lining is that Karen (and Ben) are walking with Jesus on streets of gold. The compassion of Jesus is real; as is the hope of the resurrection that we celebrating this month.
I am looking forward my church’s Easter celebrations this month. I am continuing the Grief Share support group and finding it very helpful. We meet on Sunday afternoons. April also has appointments with missions profs at nearby Bible schools and seminaries. I am wanting to give them a copies of OMF’s new video, “Breakthrough.” It’s a half hour docu-drama about the life and ministry of J.O. Fraser, a C.I.M. missionary to the Lisu peoples of China. It speaks powerfully of the need for prayer and faith in God, who is able to, “open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.” If you haven’t seen this video I would urge you to get a copy and share it with others who pray. They are available through the nearest OMF center or on our website, www.omf.org .
April is a busy month for Wil too. He is waiting to hear from Moody Bible Institute as to whether he is accepted there or not. If not he is looking at two other colleges here in Oregon. He has daily rehearsals for the school play as well as his studies and homework assignments during this final quarter of his senior year. Pray for him as he looks forward to the future and makes important decisions at this time.
Thank you for your prayers. The Lord is answering and upholds me. These are difficult days for me but His grace is sufficient.
With our love and deep appreciation, Dave & Wil
Posted by David at 9:00 AM