posted by Esther on 07/31/08

“The strawberries are ripe!” What a joyous proclamation! Up to the strawberry patch I went with bucket in hand. I pulled back the big, green, healthy leaves and my eyes ran to and fro throughout the whole patch in search for the perfect, deep red, juicy, flavorful berries as I envisioned a strawberry pie!

I was glad to harvest much of the fruit even though it had rotten spots or insect bites because I knew they could be cut out and used as part of the pie anyway. However, it didn’t compare to the thrill of finding a big, spotless, evenly ripe, picture perfect strawberry! These were the kind I would go back to the house and show off! These were the kind that could contribute most to my goal. These were the kind we had in mind as we planted and cared for the plants. These are the kind that brought the most pleasure and reward for our labor in the sun.

As I was up there, I thought about how God’s eyes similarly run to and fro throughout the whole earth searching for those whose heart is perfect toward Him. Why? Because He has a great goal in mind, a vision of His perfect Kingdom, and a desire to show Himself strong in bringing this to pass as He finds us willing and eager to be used of Him however He sees fit. Thankfully, He will not overlook us because of our rotten sin nature but my desire is that He will find me striving to be spotless from the world, and someone who, like Job, He will take great pleasure in saying “Have you considered this servant of mine?” Someone who will give Him great excitement and the joy of intimate fellowship as He allows me to be part of His great work where He has placed me. May He find you glorious in His sight, and take great joy as you are presented to Himself. Eph 5:27 “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

1 Comment » | posted in Family News

posted by Esther on 07/28/08

Wow! I hope you have all taken time  to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation this spring! Our Asian lilies were abundant and glorious and I hope that sharing them with you on this post will lead you once again to glorify God for His handiwork. Let me tell you the story of our first lily.

Early in the Spring of 2004 despite the hungry deer and obnoxious Japanese beetles, bloomed one stem of pure white lilies. These were a treasure to Mom because we were not sure if we would get anymore so  Mom took great joy in seeing these unblemished flowers.  About this time Mom heard that a former elementary teacher was dying of cancer. Mom felt led to go visit her and present the gospel. The Lord prompted Mom to bring her treasured white lilies to brighten the lady’s room. So Mom cut our only stem of blooms and took them as a gift to this failing friend.

We do not know how much this sacrificial gift meant to her or if it did anything to reinforce the message Mom gave with it, but God has unexpectedly returned this gift to us with many more beautiful blooms through the years. They stand as a reminder to us of Proverbs 19:17  “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” 

2 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Esther on 06/16/08

We are so blessed with a righteous father   who leads his family in the ways of the Lord! Thank you Dad! In so many ways you are a picture of who our Heavenly Father is to us. The following medley of revised lines from hymns and spiritual songs was compiled in his honor on Father’s Day. You should have heard us sing it to him last night! See if you can identify all 25 songs.

This is our Father’s Day

It is morning in our house today!
You will hear our father say,
“Rise up oh men of God.
You’ve been sleeping in your bedroom… long enough!”

Shall we gather in the Living room?
Oh come, oh come, and have the Wisdom Search.
And he sits with me and he talks with me,
And he tells me…
“The Bible stands like a rock undaunted
Mid the raging storms of time.
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!”
He… says…
“Search me oh God, and know my heart today.”

I am so glad that our father has said:
“Come, children, join and sing,
“Sing, the wondrous love of Jesus, Sing His mercy and His grace;”
We’ll sing and shout the victory!

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Oh yes, he cares, I know he cares.
Blest be the tie that binds,
Our hearts in Christian love,
The fellowship of kindred minds,
Is like to that above.

Work for the night is coming!
Work thru the morning skies;
Work while the dew is sparkling,
Work for daylight flies.
Oh, happy day, oh, happy day,
Toiling on, toiling on, toiling on, toiling on,
It… will… be… worth it all
For all the saints, who from their labors rest
In darkness of night, God leads His dear children along.
There is a place of quiet rest…
(Slow) Silent night,
This is our… Father’s… Day.

4 Comments » | posted in The Bright Side

posted by Esther on 06/6/08

Thank you for joining us as Flash News Interviews returns with the rest of the story…

Esther: “I enjoyed discussing Bible lessons with my pre-EXCEL team of attentive 8-11 year old girls. I came away with encouraged to be a purged, clean vessel that is sanctified and ready for the Master’s use. 2 Tim. 2:21 It is through His Word I am purged and I’m looking forward to engrafting more scripture into my soul.”

James: “The inspiring and applicable messages by Tom Harmon were spoken with power because of how much he used Scripture. This encouraged me ask God for a greater love for His Word.”

Daniel has been looking into the most effective route to achieve a college-level education. At the conference the Lord arranged some divine appointments with people who had wise advice and experience in this area. It is exciting how God will bring just the right people across our path to talk to.

Jonathan: “I realized how important it is for our family to be in one accord. This means our family will be willing to share problems we see in each other so that we can overcome them and have the power of family unity.”

David: “The message by Bill Gothard clarified how we glorify God. It is by bearing fruit. This means not only making disciples but also developing Christ-like conduct and character in our lives.”

They would like to conclude by saying: “We were all encouraged by this conference! We heard good news of what God is doing in the world and were inspired to be part of the great things he has in store for the days ahead.”

4 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Esther on 06/4/08

The resent results of Flash News Interviews shows that the Staddon family unanimously agrees that a major highlight of the conference was the fellowship they had with the families there of like heart. They are eager to say: “God rewarded all the effort that went into packing up and traveling the 500 miles to Nashville Tennessee.”

Here are their individual replies to the interview:

   Dad: “The anointing of the Holy Spirit that we are experiencing is based on the sanctifying truths of God’s Word in the messages we heard. This anointing is equipping us for the great works of maintaining marriage oneness and family harmony. We are already preparing to share these truths with several churches in the year ahead.” 

Mom: “I was encouraged by Chris Hogan’s ministry in exhorting all whom God brings into his life.” Meeting the needs of those he is discipling is a higher priority than the ministry he is a part of.”

Michael: “I feel like I grew about 100 years worth in my walk with  God. The things I received at the conference removed barriers, renewed my vision, and provided a greater foundation for the work God will be having me to do.”

Robert: “The conference began with a dynamic message by Governor Sunny Perdue from Georgia on the need for courage in public leadership. After personally talking with the Governor, I was inspired by his love for the Lord and his desire to apply Christian principles in daily life.”

This is only half of the report! In Part 2 we will be hearing from the rest of the family. Thank you all for joining Flash News Interviews. Come back soon!

3 Comments » | posted in Family News