MOM

Posted in Thank You! on April 28th, 2008 by Administrator| | 0 Comments.

Every Mother’s day most ministers preach from Proverbs Chapter 31. When it comes to beautiful words and illustrations to describe moms, Proverbs 31 is better than any poem or any Hallmark card that has ever been written. So for this blog entry I thought I would use the words of Proverbs 31 to pay tribute to my mom.

Proverbs 31:10 (NIV)
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

Proverbs 31:23 (NIV)
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

My father was a volunteer fireman for 35 years. For 15 years he served as Chief of the Fairdale Volunteer Fire Department. My father was one of the most respected men who ever lived in Fairdale. He has four scholarships at the high school named after him. He was twice named Fairdale’s “Citizen of the Year.”The walls in our home were decorated with plaques paying tribute to his community service.

Former Spelman College President Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole once said “Behind every hero is a shero.” My father would not have been able to put out the first fire in Fairdale had it not been for my mom’s willingness to share him with the community, and for her willingness to step up and take care of business at home.

Proverbs 31:16 (NIV)
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

For over 30 years my mom worked at the Fairdale Post Office. She was so proud of that job. Mom married dad at the age of 18 and didn’t go to college. She always thanked God for blessing her with the job at the post office. Mom didn’t use her money to buy blue chip stocks, or purchase beach front property. Mom’s vineyard that she invested in was her family. She was the driving force in my brother and me graduating from college. She has been a tremendous help in my sister Debbie’s successful business career. All three of us would not be where we are today without her sacrifice and belief in us.

Proverbs 31:26 (NIV)
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

No other verse in the Bible describes my mom any better than this one. My mom has weathered more storms and climbed more mountains than anyone I know. My mother’s greatest witness to me is how she has handled so many of life’s greatest heartaches. She was rejected by her parents. She went to live with her grandpa, who loved her dearly, but was well past his prime in raising children. She went to live with my great uncle and aunt who already had a full house with five kids. She married my dad and, after 36 years of marriage, lost him to cancer. Over the next
few years she has buried her dad, mom, brother and, recently, her second husband. Through all of her heartache she has kept her faith and strength. Her relationship with Jesus Christ is so solid. She has maintained her dignity and has been an unbelievable witness to so many. Whenever I am faced with a major test in life or a major hurdle, I always call mom. Whenever I hear her say phrases such as “ You’ll be ok!” or “You’ll make it”, I get the confidence that I need to go forward. When we are faced with a tough situation, we need to hear a voice from our past to calm us down and help us focus on the task at hand. Mom’s voice has helped me pass so many major tests in my life.

Proverbs 31:29 (NIV)
Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.

On Mother’s day I want to thank God for His amazing grace. God blessed me with the greatest mom of them all. I love you mom! To quote legendary soul singer Tina Turner “You’re simply the best! Better than all the rest!”

P.S. I’m still calling you everyday!

Marlon

Recruiting

Posted in Serving on April 21st, 2008 by Administrator| | 0 Comments.

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” II Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)

Recruiting has become big business in our world today. Talent scouts from pro and college teams, major businesses, the armed forces and others are always on the lookout for talent. The Bible teaches us that God is in the recruiting business. He is constantly searching for a committed heart to bring glory to him and to make a difference for the Kingdom of God here on earth.

God spotted a committed heart that turned out to be a blue chip recruit on a farm in Elliott County, Kentucky. This farm boy showed promise early of his committed heart. During the depression to support his parents and siblings, he left his hometown of Wells Creek, Kentucky and joined the Civil Conservation Corps. He was sent to Gold Beach, Oregon and later Libby, Montana to serve in the forest department. The entire time he worked for the CCC he would send half his paycheck back home to his parents.

Uncle Sam recruited him to the Army to serve in World War II. He served in Battery B, 66th Field Artillery Battalion of the 4th Armored Division of the Third Army. He was a tank gunner serving under General Patton landing on Omaha Beach during the D-day invasion. His resume included fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, and the liberation of Bastogne. He was in Prague, Czechoslovakia when the war ended. He would later be given a Purple Heart Medal, fighting wounded during the Battle of the Bulge.

After the war he married his hometown sweetheart, the lovely Virginia Ruth Blanton. They were married for 53 years and had four children. They would later be blessed with eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. One of those four children just happened to be my wife’s mother, Luanna Todd Rutherford.

Because of his committed heart to his family and nation, God recruited him into full time ministry. He would serve the Lord faithfully for more than 50 years, and became a church planter to reach young children and families in his hometown of Wells Creek.

This blue chip recruit, Purple Heart winner, family man, minister’s name was Drexel Todd, my wife’s grandfather. Grandpa Todd went to be the Lord on February 20, 2008. I admired his committed heart so much that my son Todd is named after him.

The strength of Grandpa’s life was in his commitments. The Bible says that God is constantly searching for committed hearts. Over the next two months our church will have plenty of service opportunities for you to display just how committed your heart is. My prayer is that NorthStar Church will become one of God’s favorite recruiting spots.

Marlon