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"Transforming, Enduring Love"
"For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations" (Psalm 100:5).
We
met Jim and Dorothy Schmidt at a conference in Boston six years ago.
They work with a mission agency called SEND International. They are
also involved in the Finisher's movement and she is a longtime regional
representative for Stonecroft Ministries. We've periodically
communicated through the years and last week they were in our area
speaking to a group of Christian women. They asked Brooksyne and me to
come as their guests (I was one of only four men among several hundred
women dressed in valentine red attire!)They shared their testimony and I was astounded to learn of their background. I had met them in their golden years and was blessed by their commitment and enthusiasm for the Lord. Jim had been a career sales manager for a large company and was using his retirement years in service for the Lord. They both exuded such grace. I wasn't aware that I was seeing the result of transforming enduring love in this devoted couple.
They were both raised in non-Christian homes and had a very difficult start in their marriage. But as a child Dorothy was given a little blue Bible and had memorized some verses even though she didn't understand the meaning of these Scriptures.
Jim had an alcohol problem and their marriage was on the rocks. Once in despair he tried to take his own life, having a shotgun up to his chin ready to pull the trigger. But his son was screaming and pulling at his hand so he put the gun down. Three different times Jim told me he tried to kill another person.
The Lord first drew Dorothy to Himself using that little blue Bible and those verses that had been planted. She came to understand the love and forgiveness of God and accepted Christ and began a new life. Of course she then desired that Jim would also follow the Lord. But he was very resistant and wanted nothing to do with her new faith.
However the Spirit was working and he began to attend her church and in time sought a conference with her pastor. At the end of the conversation the pastor, compelled by the Spirit, leaned over and put his finger in Jim's face and said "Jim, you're going to hell." Dorothy looked at the pastor in shock and disbelief. Knowing Jim she felt such a bold approach would only anger him and turn him away. But it didn't. It's the very reality shock Jim needed and the pastor went on to share the gospel with him and he was gloriously saved.
That was 41 years ago. They both began to serve the Lord together and now in their seventies they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. He joyfully shared with me that his children and grandchildren serve the Lord.
This is Valentine's Day and so much emphasis will be on the fickle love of the world. I want to focus on enduring love. By sharing Jim and Dorothy's story I want to encourage you in God's long-term ability to transform. Some of you reading this may very well identify with them before they began the spiritual transformation. I implore you to turn to the Source of enduring love.
Others reading this have begun that process of transformation but are staggering. The problems just seem to mount and you wonder if you will last. Keep on practicing enduring love. God sure has this kind of love and calls us to love in the same way! "For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's prayer: Jesus, I know there's rejoicing in heaven when a loved one is called home, but I also believe there is great rejoicing when an ungodly cycle is broken where generations have not followed in Your ways. Thank You for the transforming power evident in couples such as Dorothy and Jim and others who are committed to You as they're influencing the generations that follow them. No longer are the children drifting aimlessly but Your transformation continues in their children and their children's children.
Ministries the Schmidts are involved with:
SEND International (I coudn't get the link to this mission to work)
Finisher's Project I have a friend here in the Lancaster area that is also involved in this ministry and it reminds us that God wants to use us during every phase of life and to finish well!
Stonecroft Ministries This is the ministry that sponsors the Christian Women's Clubs that my Mom so enjoyed and attended wherever she lived. At the meeting last week we sat across from two older ladies that we had never met but they had sure met my Mom and recalled her colorful presence at the monthly meetings (even though several hundred attend!)
Recommended resource for an enduring marriage:
The Four Seasons of Marriage: Which Season of Marriage are You in? By Gary Chapman
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
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