Pastor Paul Chappell | The Pastor's Perspective

Which Kind of Parent Are You?

Paul Chappell — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:07:58 +0000

As parents, we have an awesome responsibility to raise our children for the Lord. Parenting is so much bigger than providing basic necessities of life; it requires nurturing young hearts in the ways of the Lord.

Our culture pressures us to assume false methods of parenting that sound logical by man’s reasoning but will ultimately damage our children. We must reject these worldly philosophies and follow the principles of God’s Word to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Below are four descriptions of parenting styles, three of which describe unbalanced approaches. These descriptions are helpful for parents with children of any ages, as they outline the heart philosophy of the parent rather than the behaviour of the child.

1. Neglectful—Low in love, low in control

This parent avoids or flees his children. He finds it easier to say “Ask your mother” and continue watching a ballgame than to engage in opportunities to spend time with his children. He avoids setting boundaries and ignores the precious few boundaries that are broken. Unfortunately, children discern the neglect. Even as they take advantage of the relaxed rules, they translate the lack of attention as a lack of love.

Proverbs 29:15 describes the dangers of this parenting philosophy: “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.”

2. Permissive—High in love, low in control

This parent allows his children to lead him rather than leading them. He fears his children and is reluctant to say “no.” While being your child’s friend is important, remember that you are his only father/mother. Be your child’s true best friend by fulfilling your role as his parent.

The book of Proverbs is full of Solomon’s admonishion to his son to listen to and heed his father’s instruction: “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother” (Proverbs 6:20). Solomon knew that he could give Rehoboam advice and instruction that would help him live a successful life.

3. Authoritarian—Low in love, high in control

This parent pushes is children to conformity, rather than leading them to maturity. Parents who lean toward this parenting philosphy should remember Ephesians 6:4, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

The goal for Christian families is not to raise well-behaved children; it is to mature Christlike adults. To do this, you must reach your children’s hearts. Discipline and instruction is necessary, but never forget that heart strings are tied with cords of love.

4. Authoritative—High in love, high in control

This is the parent who accepts and fulfills his role as a parent by lovingly nurturing his child’s heart with love while training him in obedience. He sees the big picture and ultimately directs his child’s heart to the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). While retaining the role of a parent, he is able to fellowship with his child, spending quality and quantity time together.

It is God’s design that an earthly father would display an accurate representation of the heart of our Heavenly Father: ”Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him” (Psalm 103:13). Authoritative parenting that maintains a balance of committed love and caring control gives children a picture of their Heavenly Father that creates a hunger to know Him.

As we strive as parents to draw our children’s hearts toward the Lord, it is so important to recognize that in our own strength and through our own wisdom we are insufficient for this incredible responsibility. As Jesus clearly stated, “…without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Terrie and I are so thankful for our four children and their heart for God. Although we’ve worked hard to learn and grow as parents, we’ve made our share of mistakes through the years. Our ultimate necessity in parenting is God’s grace, and God’s grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9)!

10 Indicators of a Spirit-Filled Leader

Paul Chappell — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:37:48 +0000

Our 2010 theme for Lancaster Baptist Church is “By His Spirit.” Truly, the Holy Spirit’s filling is a “must have” for every spiritual leader. Without His ministry in and through our lives, we will not properly fill the leadership roles in which God has placed us. But through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can see Him to the impossible!

Sometimes, however, we become a little fuzzy on what a Spirit-filled life looks like. Here are ten indicators that reveal the Holy Spirit’s filling in your life:

A Spirit-filled leader is personally yielded. The key to effective public leadership is a genuine private walk with God.
A Spirit-filled leader models godliness. The lifestyle of a spiritual leader is to be an open book—a living testimony—easily seen, clearly examined, and able to be emulated.
A Spirit-filled leader leads others in sanctification. When God’s Spirit is in control of our lives and leadership, there will be a noticeable direction away from sin—both privately and publicly, at home and at church.
A Spirit-filled leader maintains spiritual priorities. Right priorities are the product of God’s leading. Without the Holy Spirit’s guidance, you’ll never truly zero in on God’s priorities for your life.
A Spirit-filled leader leads others to Christ. Acts 1:8 instructs us to be “witnesses.” Simply put, the product of the Spirit at work in your life will be a soulwinner’s heart.
A Spirit-filled leader maintains oversight. Spirit-led oversight will make you both observant and obedient. In other words, you will notice things you never noticed, and then the Holy Spirit will lead you to take action and to obey His impulses.
A Spirit-filled leader encourages orderliness. When His Holy Spirit is active and working, order will be the natural result. This “order” might be as simple as picking up a piece of trash or as complicated as restructuring your adult Sunday school.
A Spirit-filled leader remains impartial. The Holy Spirit will lead you to serve every member of your church with the same concern and intensity. He will give patience, understanding, and caution where you might otherwise be reactionary or emotionally charged.
A Spirit-filled leader is gracious in trials. Hebrews 4:16 teaches us that we can “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” A peaceful, gracious, and strong spirit through the most difficult of times is supernatural. Apart from the Holy Spirit, we tend to “fall apart”!
A Spirit-filled leader exercises spiritual authority. Holy Spirit-led authority will lead authoritatively but kindly, and it will always seek to resolve discord rather than stir it up. This kind of authority responds kindly to those who disagree and still loves and gives from a deep heart of compassion and grace.

It’s exciting to see the ministry that can take place when we are filled with the Spirit. In our own might and power, we can accomplish nothing of eternal significance, but by His Spirit, we can bear spiritual fruit for God’s glory.

The Spirit God Blesses

Paul Chappell — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:34:52 +0000

An excellent spirit attracts people. When found in a young lady, it attracts a young man. When found in a dad, it attracts his children’s loyalty. When found in a wife, it attracts her husband’s heart. When found in a soulwinner, it attracts an unsaved person’s attention and time. When found in a church, it attracts repeat visitors. Simply put: an excellent spirit is attractive.

The prophet Daniel had such a spirit, and it even attracted a heathen king: “Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm” (Daniel 6:3).

How could we define an excellent spirit?

1. The spirit of humility

Humility is not a matter of thinking less of ourselves, but of thinking of others before ourselves. Humility recognizes the privilege of serving others, while pride tires of service and feels entitled to be served.

A man in our church works for a gas company whose motto is “glad to be of service.” This should be the expression of each of our hearts. Christian servants should always be willing and happy to perform basic (even menial) tasks, regardless of their position. Serving the Lord is a privilege.

2. The spirit of gratitude

I’ll never forget sitting in the missions conference of Iloilo Baptist Church in the Philippines and hearing Missionary Rick Martin challenge his people to give that others might hear the Gospel. While I would have hesitated to ask these people to give from their $5/week budget, Dr. Martin reminded them of their financial resources compared to other countries, such as Haiti and Cambodia. He taught his people a lesson we all need to learn—to focus, not on what we don’t have, but on what we can do.

God does not expect us to feel guilty for His blessings, but He does expect us to be grateful: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). A grateful spirit will be expressed through a giving spirit.

3. The spirit of faith

There is something about a person who always believes God can that encourages others to press on for God. The work to which we are called is a “work of faith”: “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father” (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

4. The spirit of flexibility

The early Christians demonstrated incredible flexibility even through persecution. Acts 8:4 records this: “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” When one door closed, they moved on, continuing to do the work of the Lord. Flexibility can be a tough quality to develop, but it makes a world of difference in a Christian’s spirit!

5. The spirit of commitment

First Corinthians 15:58 admonishes us, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” Stick to a job, stay even when it’s difficult, and be faithful until the Lord rewards your labor.

6. The spirit of compassion

God blesses ministries that demonstrate the spirit of compassion in reaching out to those who cannot reciprocate. God also blesses individuals who remember the griefs and burdens of others and express their care.

7. The spirit of understanding

Is there anything more frustrating or demoralizing than being misunderstood? Proverbs 17:27 says, “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” Appropriately taking time to listen to and hear the heart of another adds attractive value to your spirit and can draw others to the Lord.

A spirit of understanding has another facet as well. To effectively and properly accomplish God’s work, we need understanding as we make decisions. We cannot lean on our own understanding, so we must diligently seek God’s principles through His Word to make wise decisions.

One additional note regarding an excellent spirit: We all face adverse circumstances that challenge our spirits. At such times, we’re tempted to allow our spirits to be overwhelmed and suffocate the enabling grace of God. Trials, however, don’t create the spirit of a child of God; they merely reflect his spirit. In other words, difficult days reveal whether or not we already have an excellent spirit. Allow God to sustain and renew your spirit through His Word during these times.

The spirit God blesses is a necessity for Christ-honoring ministry. It is a conduit through which the Holy Spirit works to draw others to the Lord. How’s your spirit?

Praying and Trusting

Paul Chappell — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:23:21 +0000

I wanted to take a moment today to thank our many friends who are praying and trusting God with us regarding the physical needs in our son Larry’s life as well as our spiritual need for God’s sustaining grace and power.

About a week before Thanksgiving, Larry was summoned to the hospital for an emergency surgery. After the initial surgery and further consultations and studies conducted, it was determined that Larry should have a second surgery. This surgery (RPLND) was conducted at Kaiser hospital in Los Angeles, California, in late December. Although Larry had some post-surgery complications with the condition on his ileum, we are thankful that God brought him through the surgery and has blessed him with healing since the surgery.

Due to the discovery of cancer in some lymph nodes in Larry’s abdomen, the prescribed course of treatment was adjuvant chemotherapy.

Larry recently completed his first course of chemotherapy (beginning thirty days after the surgery date). As of this writing, he is beginning the second course, which includes five consecutive days this week of intravenous chemotherapy for several hours each day.

Between the surgeries and the chemotherapy, Larry has experienced some challenging days, but his spirit has remained steadfast in the Lord, and he and Ashley have encouraged one another throughout the entire process.

We have studied Larry’s type of cancer extensively and we are following the standardized course of treatment for his particular need. Our hope, however, does not lie merely in the good prognosis of the doctors; it rests in the hands of our powerful God. Early on in the process, God gave me the verse Psalm 71:5, “Thou art my hope, O Lord….” I know that Larry and Ashley are also hoping and trusting the Lord throughout this process. God’s Word promises in Psalm 9:10 “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”

Please continue to pray for our family as we seek the Lord through this time. Pray for Larry especially over the course of the next several days as he goes through this intense time in his life, and pray for Ashley as she supports her husband.

Last week I had an awesome few hours with Larry as we traveled together to join his brother Matthew on the occasion of his engagement to be married. As always, I was encouraged and stimulated by Larry’s conversation. He has deep insight into the work of the local church and current affairs in our country. I can sense his passion is strong to preach again and to make a difference in his generation.

Once again, we ask your continued prayers for Larry during this next course of treatment. Pray that God through the medicine and by His healing hand will raise Larry up a different and an anointed man for His glory. Pray that we as a family will not waste this trial and that we will learn all that God has for us.

I’m so thankful to our staff who have labored diligently with me through this time. I’m thankful for a loving church who has prayed compassionately and fervently. I’m thankful for many of our pastor friends and their congregations who are praying for Larry, Ashley, and our entire family.

This is a different season for us, but we know this is a time that is very important and allowed by God. May God richly bless you for your care, your concern, and your prayers on our behalf.

Matthew and Katie Engaged!

Paul Chappell — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:32:47 +0000

Nearly twenty-four years ago our family moved to Lancaster, California, to begin ministry at Lancaster Baptist Church. At that time, we had two children, Danielle and Larry, and God soon blessed us with two more children, Kristine and Matthew.

This past week, our youngest son, Matthew, was engaged to Katie Crockett of Redmond, Washington.

Matt and Katie have just begun their senior years here at West Coast Baptist College. Matthew is a church ministries major with a desire to pastor someday, and Katie is an elementary education major with a desire to teach and serve along side her husband.

Following family tradition, Matthew arranged a special place for his engagement to Katie, which was followed by a special dinner with our family members and the Crockett family who traveled from Seattle to join us for the occasion.

Terrie, our daughters Danielle and Kristine, and our daughter-in-law Ashley took Katie on what she thought was simply a trip to have a special lunch time together. Instead they brought her to a conference room where Matthew was waiting with a video that chronicled the last few years of their dating experiences. At the end of the video Matthew brought Katie outside where he proposed to her on a beautiful Southern California coastal bluff.

Katie’s family serve the Lord in an independent Baptist church where Katie’s father serves as a deacon. Katie attended public school in Seattle, and her life was significantly influenced by a missions trip to Africa with her grandfather, Brother Gary Williams, who pastored for many years in Missouri. Later, her youth pastor, Bro. Sam Green (a 2003 graduate of West Coast Baptist College) brought Katie and her youth group on a trip to the college.

Soon after meeting here at West Coast, Katie and Matthew began dating. It has been a joy to watch them grow and develop a heart for God and a desire to serve Him.

Matthew currently preaches at our Fontana chapel ministry on Wednesday nights and has recently concluded expository studies with them in Philippians and Ruth. The chapel is located about 10 minutes from the Ontario airport, and the folks in the midweek study are enjoying the ministry provided by Matt and the team of young men from the college.

Third John 4 says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

By the grace of God, we have seen three of our children honor the Lord through their teen years and then marry godly spouses. Each of them now serve the Lord in full time ministry.

We covet your prayers for Matthew and Katie as they continue to develop a relationship in Christ. Pray that our Lord will direct and guide their paths as they make plans to give their lives to the Lord in full time ministry.

7 Biblical Purposes for Music

Paul Chappell — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:25:50 +0000

The music program in the local church is vital, and it’s impact—for good or bad—on a church service is immeasurable. While some may view music as simply a form of entertainment and emotional conditioning, godly music plays a much larger role in a church.

Scripture gives at least seven purposes for Christ-honoring music. Use these principles as a gauge to evaluate the biblical soundness of your music ministry:

The Purpose of Worship—“And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished” (2 Chronicles 29:28).
The Purpose of Thanks—“Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God” (Psalm 147:7).
The Purpose of Rejoicing—“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm” (Psalm 98:4–5).
The Purpose of Consecration—“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts” (Psalm 139:23). (Spoken in song!) “Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation” (Psalm 111:1).
The Purpose of Edification—“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).
The Purpose of Evangelism—“And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:3).
The Purpose of Preservation of Faith—“One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works” (Psalm 145:4–5).

May the music of our churches bring glory to the Lord and lift our hearts in His praise.

Note: West Coast Baptist College is hosting Bible Truth Music’s National Church Leadership Conference this week, February 10–12. This is a preaching and teaching conference focused on the biblical principles that apply to music. It is primarily aimed at the pastor and all music ministry leadership.

Tips for an Effective Race

Paul Chappell — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:10:16 +0000

In several days the Olympics will begin in Vancouver, British Columbia. Athletes from around the world will compete in various winter sports, each seeking a gold medal.

Throughout Scripture, the Christian life is often compared to athletic events, giving us insights into how we can finish our race with joy. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13–14).

Allow me to share a few thoughts with you that I have been pondering this morning about the race the Lord has given me to run:

1. I must continuously look to Jesus as my goal.

In the Christian race, my main objective must never be the approval of men, keeping godly standards, or following a particular creed. While the encouragement of fellow Christians is a blessing, and biblical standards and creeds are needed, these are simply meant to be landmarks guiding me along my way to pleasing Christ.

Hebrews 12:1–2 admonishes us, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

2. I must focus on the race Christ has given me to run.

First Timothy 4:16 commands, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” If I become too concerned about the race of another church or pastor, I lose focus on the race that God has given me to run. I must avoid such distractions to maintain my own race that is spiritually, physically, and emotionally pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. I must create a sustainable pace.

The race God has given me to run is one that can be finished! In 1 Corinthians 10:13 the Bible promises, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

The race God has given me is sustainable if I am careful not to over burden myself by taking on responsibilities that are not meant of God for me. Opportunity does not always equal obligation.

4. Sometimes the Christian race is uphill and difficult to run.

It is during these uphill climbs that a runner needs an infusion of God’s grace. Jesus told the Apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul responded by choosing to glory in the infirmities and difficulties he faced, that he might know the power of God. The Olympic athlete may use Gatorade or even an oxygen bottle to regain strength, but we have the provision of the all-sustaining grace of God.

5. Sometimes rest is needed during the race of the Christian life.

It is important to remember that tarrying times are not idle times. Sometimes the Lord wants us to pull aside for a moment or a day just to refocus our gaze on Him and replenish our spirits in His Word before we step back into the race.

I am thankful for the joy of being a husband, father, pastor, and Bible college president. I enjoy teaching students how to build classes, soulwinning programs, and the ministries of the local church. These days I have been praying that God would use me to run a sustainable, godly, and Christ-focused race, that I might also be the testimony He has called me to be in this world.

I am praying the lap you are running today will be one during which you will know the grace of God and the joy of focusing on Christ!

New Podcast Posted: Striving Together

Paul Chappell — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:27:24 +0000

As an independent Baptist pastor, I’m encouraged with the potential our churches have to reach an eroding society with the truth of the Gospel. As we are careful to maintain doctrinal integrity and biblical separation, the truth of God’s Word is given freedom to change lives for the glory of God. But sometimes we limit our influence by pettiness and strife.

This podcast lesson is my heart’s plea to independent Baptist pastors and leaders to see our potential reached by obeying the admonition of Philippians 1:27: “…that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”

Go get Adobe Flash Player!

We’ve added a special feature to this lesson (originally preached at the Spiritual Leadership Conference this past summer): in-studio Q&A at the beginning and end of the lesson in which I answer the following questions:

What excites you about what God is doing in our local churches today?
What burdens you about the movement in independent Baptist churches today?
What is most needed from the younger leaders in local churches today?
What is most needed from the older leaders in our local churches?
Most of our listeners know that you’ve been dealing with a trial as your son Larry has been battling cancer these last couple of months. What has God’s been doing in his life during this time?

We are ministering in the last days. Now is the time to strive together—young and old, east and west—for repentance and revival in our land. This is not the time to marginalize, but to march together holding high the banner of truth.

The Spiritual Leadership podcast is a free resource from Striving Together Publications (a ministry of Lancaster Baptist Church and West Coast Baptist College).

You can subscribe to this podcast through iTunes and listen on your computer or iPod. You can also receive the complimentary outline with each lesson. Click here for more information about subscribing to the outline.

Humanly Impossible

Paul Chappell — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:26:37 +0000

One of the highlights of the year at Lancaster Baptist Church is our annual winter revival with Dr. John Goetsch. I look forward these meetings every year—both for my own spiritual growth and for the growth it brings in the lives of our people. Several days of concentrated meetings are spiritually fruitful because the culmination of attending each evening allows the preaching of God’s Word to gain momentum in our lives as we press on in spiritual battle.

Dr. Goetsch preached on the theme of “Humanly Impossible,” and each service highlighted God’s ability to overcome the humanly impossible strongholds in our lives and give us victory through Christ. The messages (audio and video) are posted at http://preaching.lancasterbaptist.org/winter-revival-by-his-spirit. You will be blessed, convicted, challenged, and encouraged by them.

I rejoice in the privilege of knowing and serving a God with whom nothing is impossible! Please continue to pray for Larry’s healing and for his strength during these weeks of chemotherapy treatments.

Cancer, God, and Larry!

Paul Chappell — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:33:41 +0000

I must admit I had never anticipated that words like cancer, surgery, or chemotherapy would be a part of our everyday, family vocabulary. Yet, in the past several weeks by God’s sovereign plan, we have seen our son Larry endure two major surgeries, and he is now preparing for chemotherapy treatments that will begin this Monday, January 25.

As a pastor, I have prayed for grace to remain steady in preaching and ministering to our flock. I thank the Lord for the tremendous assistance from our staff and the overall daily ministry provided through our church family.

As a father, these have been times of tears and trust, and occasionally times of fear and then faith. Overall, I know that God is working in my heart in many ways to perform His will. It is my daily prayer, along with my wife Terrie’s, that He will grant us grace to trust Him more.

For Larry, I am sure there have been times of apprehension, but overall I sense a spirit of grace and trust that has been a tremendous testimony of his walk with Christ. Larry and Ashley have displayed a confidence in the Lord that has been such a great blessing for our family to observe.

The Bible says in Romans 8:28–29, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” While I feel it may be premature to share many of the lessons God has spoken into my heart during this time, there is no doubt that all of these things are according to His purpose and for the forming of our lives for His honor and glory. Moments of extreme difficulty have only reminded us of how greatly we need the Lord.

While there is some wisdom in studying the specifics of cancer, such as pathology, staging, treatments, etc., the Lord has been showing us it has been more important to study His Word and to place our trust in Him.

Please pray for Larry in the coming days, that God will give him physical strength and endurance during the chemo. And, yes, we ask you to bind together with us in prayer that God, through His mighty power, will heal our son and raise him up for His glory. We acknowledge God’s sovereign will in all of our lives, yet we want to obey His Word and pray in faith, with nothing wavering, that God’s power would be revealed in Larry’s life.

Please pray for the dozens of medical professionals who have helped and ministered to our family. Pray for those who need to know Christ as Saviour, and pray for others who perhaps need to come back to a relationship with Him on a daily basis.

Early next Monday morning, we will travel down to Los Angeles for Larry’s first intravenous chemotherapy treatment. It has been a joy to sense that many of God’s people are praying for Larry, Ashley, and our entire family. From the depths of our hearts we thank you for the care, prayers, letters, and encouragement we have felt from around the world for Larry, Ashley, and our entire family. Your love is a reflection of God’s grace to us.