IMPORTANCE OF A GODLY MOTHER & HOME - WITH A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

1. She took me to church as a child. I sat with Godly grandparents while she sang in the choir

2. She taught me about God by her life style…she prepared weekly lessons for S.S. class

3. She taught me right from wrong by correcting me as needed

4. She loved me especially when I was desperately ill with a deadly disease from bad milk

5. She taught me to tithe, giving me coins for the weekly offerings in church & S.S.

6. She taught me responsibility at church to set up chairs for her SS class of ladies each week.

7. She taught me to love God by example. She loved everyone.

8. She insisted that I attend a Christian youth group from our church weekly.

9. She encouraged my friendship with our Pastor’s son & a couple of other male friends who did not smoke or drink. We became life-long friends. I followed that Pastor’s son to the Christian College he was attending.

10. She encouraged me to drive a lady to Rhode Island, to attend the denominational annual meeting. That lady paid my way to a camp for young people, where I learned the importance of personal, meaningful, daily devotions, leading to a real, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, already my Savior.

11. She insisted that I go to college & helped pay for it with her meager earnings, along with my summer employment earnings. That resulted in matriculating at Houghton College, Buffalo, NY. The discipline of education led me to a closer walk with the Lord.

12. She wanted me to learn how to serve God with an education. I needed that discipline.

13. My earliest exposure to missions happened when my first grade teacher left for
South America as a missionary. That lady died on the mission field of old age.

14. She exposed me to world missions by entertaining missionaries in our home.

15. At college I was made aware of how large the world is and how great the spiritual need, especially in the Muslim world

16. At graduate school, Columbia International University, in Columbia, SC, I was challenged by a furloughing missionary to the Muslim in China, to consider Muslim missions in Pakistan.

17. During the writing of a master’s thesis on Muslim theology, God introduced me to a vibrant young lady preparing for missionary service who became my wife with my mother’s complete approval.

18. Although I left my mother’s denominational church for an Independent Church ministry, she always supported our missionary service in Pakistan. I wrote to her every week about our experiences. She preserved all of those letters. She prayed daily for us and waited patiently 4 years to see and hold her grandchildren…two of whom were born overseas. That was indeed, patient, agape love, I can never forget.

19. The Lord then led us to a pastorate in Mansfield, OH. Mom was so pleased. She could visit with her grandchildren as they grew up. She could attend my graduation from Seminary.

20. Mom was pleased when we moved to WV to develop the Missions Department of Appalachian Bible College. WV, was closer to NJ, than OH, to visit grandchildren. She was so thrilled when I was awarded the Doctorate at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. What amazing support she was.

21. My mother’s agape love taught me more about God’s agape love than all of life’s experiences put together since. Thank you Mom.

22. My mother eloped from college to marry her life-long love, my Father. They were a wonderful example of a marriage few thought could survive. But it did and happily so. Dad was a hard, faithful worker who provided well for us, me and my nine year older sister. He personally built the home we lived in. I never witnessed an argument even through extensive stressful situations beyond their control. They sacrificially & patiently called upon God to endure. It drew them closer together to survive. Father was born again in mid-life and faithfully served at their local church along with his loving wife.

23. Thank you Mom and Dad. You gave me good genes, a good home life, a good example and agape love. Best of all a Godly environment in which to give my life to HIM as Savior and life-long service.

24. Thank you Mom & Dad. Rest in peace with your Lord and Savior in Heaven. My memories of you both are good ones. A Godly heritage is so essential for life service.