Jean Stockdale...

Grandparents!

Craig and I have exciting news to share! We are going to be grandparents! Jason and Patti are expecting June 16, 2007. We are absolutely over the moon, as are her parents, Catherine and Butch Straznicky. The psalmist wrote, "How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments. His descendants will be might on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed" (Psalm 112:1-2). God has blessed our family in so many ways. Both of our boys and their wives are walking with the Lord and building their own homes on the foundation of faith. III John 3 says, "I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." We bless the name of our Great God for His abundant blessings. And we eagerly await this new twig on our family tree. To God be the glory!

Disciplines of Devotion

It almost goes without saying, but I dislike discipline. I like to play. I like to nap. I like to take pictures and scrapbook them. I like to read. And did I mention, I love a good catnap! I have a very sanguine nature and I simply do not like discipline. It is hard and it is my nature to avoid anything that is hard! I find any form of discipline to be constraining and uncomfortable. But as I walk with God, I am discovering that the essence of the Christian life is just plain ole discipline. Bummer!

I believe discipline must spring forth from a devotional love for the Lord, and not from the legalistic approach that enjoys living by external rules and regulations in order to impress or appear spiritual. What I am talking about must issue forth from an internal motivation based on a love relationship with the Lord.

I want God's power on my life. I want a life that counts for Christ. I want to actively be involved in the kingdom work. I want that more than I dislike discipline. I am finding that it takes discipline to read the Word and study it. It takes discipline to pray and plead on behalf of my personal prayer assignments. It takes discipline to give and love and serve as Christ would have me do as His ambassador here on earth. It takes discipline, something that does not come easily for me. Did I mention, I like to take catnaps? But I am finding that in order to facilitate my calling and fulfill God's purpose and plan for my life, I must become disciplined. I must be disciplined because I am devoted. I am devoted to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I choose Christ. I choose discipline.

In I Timothy 4:7-8 Paul wrote, "Disciple yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." I choose discipline. How about you?

Home

I have just returned from teaching at a Women's Retreat for the ladies of First Baptist Simpsonville, S.C. We meet at a lovely resort on Lake Lenoir, which is about 50 miles north of Atlanta. I had a wonderful time fellowshipping and sharing with these precious ladies and send them all greetings! What a great group. These group came ready to study the Word of God together and worship through hymns and songs of praise. God bless all of you. I was renewed in my own spirit to spend this time with you. This church has two locations and God is doing amazing things in their midst. If any of you live anywhere near this location, you simply must go and visit. Tell them Jean sent you!

I Once Was Blind

On my recent trip to Atlanta, Ga. I traveled through their enormous airport. Air travel is not without its aggravation these days, and it seems to have put most passengers into a very bad mood. After landing in Atlanta, I headed to the baggage claim via the subway train that connects the terminals. As I stepped onto the tile floor of the subterranean train station, the sound of a tapping cane immediately caught my attention. Up ahead, was a dear lady who was obviously visually impaired. I marveled at her courage to travel through the Atlanta airport without the advantage of sight. As a sighted person, I am always a bit nervous as I try to transverse the vast complex. I quietly slipped up beside her and offered my assistance, which she graciously accepted. Within minutes of meeting each of us had identified ourselves as believers and soon we were chatting like old friends. As we approached the baggage claim area, I stopped to read the signs that indicated the particular carousel for each airline carrier.  An airport employee offered to help and asked which airlines we were flying. I paused to let her respond. As my newfound friend responded, the employee, having taken note of her cane and obvious limitations, casually pointed in the appropriate direction. Now did I mention, the lady was blind! Pointing does very little good for an unsighted person! The woman needed more help than a sign or a point in the right direction. She needed someone to take her by the arm and show her the way!

I could not help but think of the blind man's response after Jesus restored his sight, "I once was blind but now I see." God did much more for us then simply point to heaven. He did more than pronounce judgment on mankind after Adam and Eve sinned. He actually clothed Himself in humanity and came unto His own. John 1:14 says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."

I once was dead in my trespasses and sin. I once walked according to the prince of the power of the air. I once indulged the desires of the flesh and of the mind. I once was blind, but now I see!

Anger Management

Every mom is well aware of the damaging effects of unrestrained anger. She is also painfully aware of how often she resorts to it in order to make her children listen to her or behave or somehow get even with them! One of the current trends in our culture is to somehow restrain this monster with something called "anger management." The Bible does not teach us to manage anger. It clearly says we are to crucify it. Anger is not something to be contained by creatively managing it; it is an emotion that is to be put to death by the power of the Holy Spirit. James 1:19-20 says, "This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God." Identify your emotion of anger that is rising up within you, threatening to overtake you and cause you to spew forth venomous words that will bring forth death and wound the soul of the hearer, lodging deep in the heart and leaving scars and wounds that may never heal. Identify it. Call it by name. By an act of your will, renounce it. Declare, "I am angry, but by faith I crucify this ungodly anger and I ask you, Holy Spirit, to fill me with your "fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,s gentleness, and self-control." (See Galatians 5:22-23). By faith, believe that greater is He that is in you, then the power of the anger of your flesh. Refuse to indulge it. Put it to death. And prepare to enjoy the holy consequences of your act of faith. Your home will begin to be filled with "psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs" (Colossians 3:16).

I Once Was Lost....

As Craig and I left church Sunday morning, we cut diagonally across Bellevue's vast parking lot, headed to our vehicle. It was a beautiful fall morning, crisp and clear with phenomenally blue skies overhead dotted with white puffy clouds. We were holding hands and giggling like teenagers when we happened upon a lone man, standing perfectly still with a look of confusion etched on his face. His shoulders were hunched and he had stuffed his hands deep into his pockets in utter frustration. "By chance, have you lost your car?" Craig asked. "As a matter of fact, I have. This is my first visit to Bellevue and I am totally lost.I am so turned around I am not even sure if I came in on this side of the church." If you are unfamiliar with the campus of Bellevue Baptist Church, our parking lot has 5000 spaces~all of which look pretty much the same!

Embarrassed and extremely confused, the man finally agreed to let us drive him around the parking lot until we found his car. Within a few minutes, he joyfully announced that he spotted his wayward vehicle and man and car were once again reunited!Hurray! Kill the fatted calf!

As Craig and I drove off the parking lot and headed home to Fayette County, the man's words, "I am totally lost" and his need for help triggered strong emotions in my soul. You see I too once was lost, but now I am found! I once was blind, but now I see!

Luke 19:10 says, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Hallelujah! What a Savior!