A Word from Joy

Showers of Blessings

Bob and I have always experienced working (hard labor and even double jobs) thru the nearly 57 years of our marriage…it is just the life we have known. But now, for me, (and for Bob also but he still has many commitments) comes retirement…a whole new look.

Now, we must accept even more by faith, what we experience. Through this new time in our marriage, I have become even more of a people watcher. By this, I mean, I have learned to watch how people achieve, by faith, to trust the Lord. My parents were great examples to me. We have a couple in our circle of friends, who have lost everything and yet, are still giving glory to God. We are praying for them…would you join us even though you do not know their names? Contentment is one of the first lessons we must practice as it tells us in God’s Word (Ist Timothy 6:6) A song, that I really like is “Little is much when GOD is in it…labor not for wealth or fame. There’s a crown and you can win it if you go in Jesus Name.”

God has met our every need in this new season of our life. As I have watched other Christians, I have seen a totally different perspective of being content. When I was growing up, I never knew that we were poor, but we were content. Now as GOD is providing for our needs through others, I am so aware of Christ likeness – in others – and it is a beautiful thing. For us it has been showers of blessings.

Through our newsletter, you know we needed a walk-in shower because of my mobility problems, and being a fall risk. Well, due to someone reading our newsletter for the very first time and many others of you praying, we now have that need met. 2 extraordinary talented and Godly men who knew exactly how to meet that need, stepped up and came to our home to provide this need. How extremely blessed we are.

In our last newsletter, we told you of the sudden death of our precious Sheepdog, Shagbark. I really had a hard time with this, but so many of you stepped up to send me messages and cards of understanding and hope. One dear friend even came over and sat with me just to visit. Another group drove over from Indianna to encourage. Another friend painted a picture of my Shagbark. So thankful for this outpouring of God’s comfort.

Some of you saw on Facebook that after we were able to get the roof on our house, a leak started in one of my favorite rooms around our skylight – totally damaging the ceiling. The roofing company sent out their top guy to correct the problem around the skylight and then another top-notch couple of guys to repaint the entire ceiling in that room. All without even asking for this and with a cheerful attitude and no additional cost.

Another blessing to us, came this month as the church that we founded back in 1976 put together a celebration for us of those 50 years. We were so honored and blessed through the celebration. Thank you, Crosspointe Church of Westerville.

So, you see, I have seen the image of Jesus thru others over these past couple of months and my heart is encouraged through Showers of Blessings .

Dear God, Make me sensitive to the needs of others and use me to encourage others and send them Showers of Blessings from YOU!

Here’s The Latest News!

“What We’ve Achieved Together!”

 

We are so Blessed!

• We continue to be amazed at how God continues to fill our calendar – not necessarily, months in advance, but usually weeks.  Either way, we continue to be busy presenting the message of the Cross!  We were booked three of the four weekends in October – Praise God!
• A very special and emotional blessing was the celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Calvary Bible Baptist (now Crosspointe) in Westerville that we had the privilege of founding in 1976.  A Tsunami of memories flooded over us during the special services on Oct. 11.  Pastor Matt Keller and the staff did an incredible job of putting together a video of the history of the church and praising God for all that He has done.  We were greatly honored to be a part of this celebratory time.   When we left the church to start CrossPower our prayer was that the greatest days of the church would be ahead and not behind.  That is coming to pass and we rejoice in what God is doing!  
•  Because of your faithful support, we were able to assist a family member of a prisoner with serious, emergency dental surgery.  Thank you!
•  We continue to enjoy the sweet privilege of fellowshipping with our small group and sharing God’s Word with them.
•  Bob continues to teach Old Testament Survey in the Genoa Bible Institute.  Wonderfully hungry students.
• We are continuing to get positive results from The Word on The world podcast at www.bobtalk.com and Outside The Walls podcast and blog at www.outsidewalls.us
• Some of our October meetings were just unusually blessed by God- especially the Jubilee at Ebenezer Baptist in Logan, Ohio.  Heaven truly came down!

 

Supporting Church Focus – Grace Baptist Church – Ludlow Falls, Ohio

      

What a blessing Pastor Dale Scott and this church has been to us for several years.   We have conducted a number of CrossPower meetings for them and they have been so responsive to our teaching and ministry.   Ludlow Falls is a tiny community is Western Ohio, but they have a large impact on their community.   We are so thankful for their faithful support!

 

Where we’re Headed!

Here’s what’s on the immediate horizon for CrossPower.

• Our weekend calendar for November is a little sparse as we write this.  We will be in Portland, Indiana on November 8^th for a day long Thanksgiving celebration.
•  We were able to resume our “parking lot” ministry at the Pickaway County State Prion.  Each time we visit we ask God for divine appointments as visitors leave the facility – and God always provides a few.   Please pray that God will use our gift cards an material to draw people to Christ and give them comfort