JULY
2010
(877)-460-7095
www.antiochranch.com
Families, families, more families & friends
Yep, we have had so many families already this
summer. This very weekend we have a huge gathering of 2 extended families from
all over the country, and Canada, for the wedding of “their kids,” a very
sweet couple, eager to start their married lives.
So many families have expressed their
appreciation for an affordable vacation. Full
week @ $375! That’s a win-win!!
We recently had 2 lovely ladies spend a week here who
have been childhood best friends for 35 years. How special for them, and for us.
Last year we had a budding author here for a month from
Hawaii. She just emailed us about her latest exploits. I told her that because
of her great name, I would buy her books.
tobyneal.net A
treat!
Yes, we have been busy, but a good and relational kind of
busy. Pat has been “talking” to me about our need for a vacation. I am
perplexed; I don’t like to travel that much, and to leave this vacation
spot!? Oh me! I guess prayer for
this wouldn’t hurt.
Some of you, who have stayed in our Americana cottage will be
glad to hear that we have a brand new kitchen range for it. And the Country
Victorian has new carpet in the living room and some fresh bedroom décor.
I had a rather amusing experience while mowing our
large lawn the other day. Mine is NOT a sit-down mower. Well, I have 3 strong
able-bodied son-in-laws who could tackle this project with gusto. Where were
they? Oh yes… One in Germany. One in San Diego. One in Cotati. None real
close. Hmm …… Then I had a
wonderful thought, and I wrote each of
them, thanking them for NOT coming and taking away my free exercise program.
(“Positive thinking,” Eh?) We are looking forward to their visit soon.
*
A reminder from last newsletter: Most of us believe that God loves us,
but the revealing question is to ask whether we believe He likes us.
JERRY’S EMMAUS JOURNEY (3
impacts)
Some
ways where Jesus “sneaked” up on me with a meaningful revelation:
#1
“Destiny in Geography”
Have you ever heard this phrase? Well, Pat
& I had not either until we found ourselves in a “desperate” situation
in 1988 when I had been fired from the Christian school I had started 8 years
previously in the Bay Area. We were devastated, to say the least. We had left
our beloved Antioch Ranch to help start this ministry. Now what to do? We sought
out a very gifted and trusted Bible teacher named Bob Mumford. And as he gave us
an hour and a half of loving comfort and council, he mentioned, “There is
destiny in geography.” This was
Jesus sneaking up on us through Bob, and coaxing us back to our Mendocino home
after our 8-year absence.
#2
“Death of a Ministry”
This is another insight via Mumford; this
one is recent. Bob came out with a small booklet where he speaks quite candidly
about how God allows/causes one ministry to die (when it needs to) in order to
birth another. I see this as very personal, pertaining to Pat & me. We have
been part of, even started, more than one “ministry.” I can think of
several; a high school Bible study in the ‘60’s, our Hippie ministry in the
‘70’s, our Christian school in the ‘80’s, our workshop ministries in the
‘90’s, my “head-of-men’s-ministry” in our church until recently, and
possibly others. All went through a kind of death, for whatever reasons. Bob’s
insight is that God does these things to “move us on” perhaps because of our
deficiencies, or perhaps toward better things; but we are not to fret over His
maneuverings. Wow!
#3
“Forgiveness”
I felt I had a handle on this popular (and often debated) Christian subject some time ago. I concluded that forgiveness horizontally (person to person) operates by the same principal as does vertical forgiveness (between us & God). A wound/crime is committed by someone against another. The relationship is broken. The goal is always a restored relationship. This can occur when the “guilty” party repents and the “victim” forgives. It is certainly that way between God and us. His heart is full of grace and forgiveness, and open to us when we truly repent.
But
what about horizontally? I have maintained that it is the same formula. (Luke
17:3)
Lately, I keep hearing people talk about
unconditional forgiveness. Just forgive everyone who has wounded you! And
yourself as well!
I got so tired of hearing this that I consulted a
trusted pastor friend who had just written a paper on the subject. Well, he
totally affirmed my position: No repentance
= No
forgiveness/reconciliation!
Pat’s Pondering
I had always assumed that Proverbs was
all about Wisdom, but it wasn’t until our ladies’ Bible Study group
got into that book that I saw how full it is of useful, everyday advice. It was
written by a parent/teacher to help his son
mature and have
the ability to make wise choices in life. What
son or daughter doesn’t need help with that?
The stories and examples are true to life, but sometimes over-dramatized
to make a point. Here are a few.
Example 1: The Teacher says, “Guys,
there are two main things that are gonna get you into trouble: gangs and
girls.” True today, and this was written 900+ B.C.
Teenage raging hormones and bad companions can be the source of lots of
bad decisions. Don’t you wish you could sit with your kids/grandkids for a
session on these subjects?
Example 2: We see an overly drawn,
somewhat cartoonish picture of “The Sluggard.” I called this lesson
“Diligence versus the Banana Slug.” This
character doesn’t plant his fields at the right time because it is too rainy
and cold outside, so uncomfortable. He
finds himself without food for winter. He lets the thorns overgrow his vines and
the weeds come up the path to the door of his house. He is soooooo tired and
lazy he can’t even lift his hand from his dish of food and bring it to his
mouth. Picture his face in his dish, snoring zzzzzs.
I pondered how I tend to let my comfort-zone control
me. What? Walk twenty minutes a day
for needed exercise? Nah, too cold,
too rainy, too hot, too tired. Too
many excuses.
Example 3:
We looked at a list of things God detests and the things that delight Him. God
abhors a person who stirs up dissension among brothers. With Him it always comes
down to relationships, how we treat each other; in
business, politics, church, and family.
Example
4: We looked at different qualities and compared them to their opposites. We
looked at the words we use, how we handle finances, business principles like greed vs.
generosity, impatience vs. a plan, entitlement
attitudes vs. stewardship, covetousness vs. contentment, excess vs.
self-control, and poverty vs. riches. We saw how our fears can destroy our faith.
Proverbs is so rich!
Example 5: What’s the big deal about
dishonest scales? Why does God
care? There are serious
consequences from living such a me-centered life with short-term vision.
Consider our daily headlines!
Example 6: Inspired by 11:11 we talked about how
we can bless our town, our city. In what ways can I bless Mendocino
besides praying?
Example 7: For me verses 24 & 25 of chapter 11 had immediate
application. In our recession
economy it is tempting to hold on to what we have, but these verses say that a
generous person will prosper: one who refreshes others will himself be
refreshed. This applies to how we
have cut our weekly rate in half at Antioch Ranch and last year had the best
year of the last three years. Thank
you, God, for the blessings.
We
ladies finished our study by looking at two people who embodied
the qualities we had studied. One
was the composite picture in Proverbs 31 of a mature woman. Her words are kind
and build up; she is generous, diligent, hard working, has foresight and makes
plans; she is an encourager, cares for other’s needs, has concern for the poor
and does something about it. She
has a good reputation, and is faithful to and supports her husband’s
interests. She has wisdom in handling money, and counsels younger women. Her
qualities, combined with a fear/awe of the Lord, lead to success, honor, worth
and enjoyment. She reaps the benefits God has promised. God
blesses her, and so does her community and her family.
The second “finish” was tracking the grandson in the movie, “The
Ultimate Gift.” It was the cherry
on top. I encourage you to see it!
From Our Guest Book:
“I really had
fun here.” (From a
kid!)
“We got to see the twin fawns“ (From
a lady)
“PS: I got tons of souvenirs.” (From
a kid)
“Nice play area past the orchard in the trees” (From a kid!)
“I
came here to quiet myself … (From a busy man!)
“I
loved the cabin with all its little quirks. (From a mom!)
“Thanks for showing us the card
trick.” (From
some teens!)
“We had a blast …” (From
an adult!)
“The stars are bright here.”
(From a dad!)
“Our only regret is not being able to
stay longer.” (Everyone!)
Local Events …
Explore tide pools, tour the lighthouse, listen to the music festival, visit quaint shops, swim/play in the unbelievable aquatic center, learn about mushrooms, see the whales, watch glass firing.
Our Specials: in effect up to Memorial Day 2011
If you can’t stay a week ($375), you can book 2 nights (or more) and stay one non-holiday weeknight free,
As Always … We wish for you all, God’s gracious blessings!