Newsletters

Memories and writings from Single Light News 1996 edition

Reflections of “Pure Gold”…..pure gold like transparent glass. Revelation 21:21b

O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the foundation of life; in your light we are light. Psalms 36:6-9

The word of the Lord came to Elijah. He instructed Elijah to go to Zarephath immediately and stay. A widow had been commanded by God to supply him with food. Elijah followed the instructions. He reached the city gates and found a widow gathering firewood. And the widow turned to get Elijah a drink of water, he also called for a piece of bread. The widow seemed to know that this man was sent by God. She did not know how she would feed him because she had only enough flour and oil for one last meal. Elijah gave her specific instructions. The widow trusted Elijah and did exactly as he said. She made him a cake from flour and oil and had enough for herself and her son. The fool supply continued until rain came to the land. The abundance experienced could only have been supplied through the Lord’s House. (Paraphrased from I Kings 17:7-14)

A widow, whose husband had served Elisha in the company of the prophets, was in deep financial trouble. Creditors were coming to take her two sons as slaves. She cried out to Elisha for help. He first asked what he could do and then asked what she had in her house. She had nothing but a little oil. Elisha gave her step by step instructions. She was to ask all her neighbors for empty jars (remembering to ask for more than just a few). After completing this task, she and her sons shut the doors. They poured oil into every jar, and set each one aside. The widow did as she was told. When there were no jars lift, the oil stopped flowing. When all of the tasks were completed, she told Elisha. He responded with instructions to see the oil to pay her debts. She and her sons were to live off what was left. (Paraphrased from 2 Kings 4:1-7)

Lessons can be learned from the widows’ stories:

The Lord’s unfailing love is priceless and provides refuge for us in the shadow of His wings. Do you, like the widows, have circumstances in your life that would allow God to show you his unfailing love and provide you with refuge in the shadow of His wings?

We enjoy hearing “faith” experiences from our kindergarten friend, Sarah. She is the personification of the term “childlike faith”. While sitting with her father as he read the evening paper, she saw a coloring-contest picture advertising the circus. It caught her interest and she wanted to send it in when completed. During the next week at school she was given two children’s ticket to the circus. Excitedly she showed them to her mom hoping they could go. He mom apologized to Sarah saying they would love to go but could not afford the ticket cost. When Sarah went to bed that night, she asked the Lord if there was a way for her to go to the circus. The next morning the local newspaper called and Sarah had won the coloring contest. The prize was two adult tickets to the circus! God used the prayers of this small child through her own coloring activity to meet her needs.

God always takes what we have that is ordinary and turns it into something extraordinary. Do we realize that the extraordinary is His abundance? Do we expect God to use what we are now or what we already have to accomplish the impossible? The prophets and the widows saw His amazing work accomplished one instruction and command at a time using who they were and what they had.

The widows trusted those godly men. They saw reflections of “pure gold.” God used Elijah and Elisha to share His light. Are we letting God use us to be the light – His light – for others?

Lord, Let others see through me to You, the fountain of life and light.

A Heartbeat Away From Heaven

Jerry Dale Cound passed away after suffering a massive heart attack at the age of twenty-five. Jerry was a miracle for he was a two-time heart transplant recipient. The first transplant took place when he was a ninth grader and the second when he was a junior in college.

Jerry’s life was an example of how we all should face and respond to each day that God graciously allows us to breathe and function in His majestic world.

The following is a portion of the eulogy given by one of Jerry’s “forever friends” at his funeral:

Jerry did not have time to worry about life. He was too busy living it. There were many more important things that Jerry had to do. He made every second count.

There were mountains to ski….races to run….books to read….trees to climb…
lay-ups to shoot…canoes to paddle….dogs to pet….footballs to catch….
trails to hike….kids to coach….girls to chase….lizards to chase….laps to swim….
bikes to ride….speeches to give….volleyballs to spike….lives to inspire….
and finally….

There was a country to visit and one final game of basketball to play with his brother

With this tribute fresh on my mind, I lay awake and listened to my own irregular, heavy heartbeat, One thought and one question flashed through my consciousness.

1. We all, like Jerry, are a heartbeat away from heaven or hell, depending on where we have placed our trust. Because of God’s Word, we know that Jesus is the son of God, that he came to earth, died on the cross to save us from our sins, roses the third day, and has prepared a place for us in heaven. He promises us in Romans 10:9 that if we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, we will be saved. Does your heart beat toward heaven?

2. Are we living each day as though we trust Him with our hearts? This question is not so easy. It is critical that we live each day as Jesus would expect us to live. We need to respond as He would respond….with care, compassion, mercy, honesty, and forgiveness. He requires that we do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. Micah 6:8
Do our lives reflect His expectations?

Jerry listened with his heart. This is an important life lesson for us. The first time Jerry went skiing, he did not spend time in ski school on the bunny slopes. He looked at that big mountain and said, “Let’s go! Life is too short for ski school!” May we get busy living….really living the way he did.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

Legacy

As I wandered through the house two weeks before my mom’s death, I realized what spiritual legacy she would leave. She left notes everywhere – on the refrigerator, in the drawers, on the walls. She wrote her thoughts and her convictions for all to hear and to see. She left no doubt about her depth of faith and her walk with the Lord. she truly shared her heart and the heart of the Lord in all she wrote.

At her funeral, the pastor shared her favorite scriptures and one of her poems.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do; forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7

She fought the good fight with amazing strength and determination. She finished the race and accomplished goals of sharing her love and faith. Above all, she kept the faith as all were aware at the service that day.

May all the lives she touched and those she will reach through her writings be challenged by her prayer: “Lord make my life a window for You to shine through and a mirror to reflect Your love to all I meet.” Her poem that the pastor read defined her purpose and plan for her life.

“Thank You God”
My heart is full of gladness, Lord
I am so blessed to have conceived
Twice I gave birth and I believed
My two were sent and made real strong
To live on earth where they belong.

You watched o’er them while at my side
My faith and love in you abide.
You watched them grow
You heard my plea, “please Lord let them believe in Thee.”

You stood by them and saw their tears
you helped me quietly calm their fears
You stood close by in times of stress
to help them grow in Godliness.
You helped choose the way to live
the sins to hate – the good to give
You’ve added stumbling blocks along
their faith in you to make them strong.

They’ve grown and gone along their way.
They both believe in you this day.
I’m proud they walk along with you
for this is what I’ve prayed they’d do.
Thank you God Mother
Donis Frederickson 1991

Three summers ago at Glorieta, as I walked prayerfully through the prayer garden, I knew the Lord had called me to write. I was surprised because I had never thought of this calling on my life. As I stayed with mom and discovered all she had written, I realized that I was to carry on the legacy of what the Lord had done in her life.

For the future’s sake I’m going to do the best I can.
I’m living the legacy. Walking the path that the
faithful have laid down.
I’m living the legacy. Finding the hope that my fathers found.
I’m standing tall when I’m on my knees.
I’m living the legacy.
Point of Grace “Living the Legacy” 1993 Word Music

You Must Give With A Thankful Heart!

The Heart That Gives…Gathers!