With Xavy

30 October 2012

I have other things to do right now. Instead, I am sitting next to the bathtub watching Xavy play in the water. And it is a joy.

I must admit, I am perplexed by his presence. Xavy is one of my stresses that has happened over the last three years:

• Leaving a church family I loved;
• Taking on a new ministry opportunity that matched my passion;
• Raising support to make a living;
• Watch my daughter struggle with an unplanned pregnancy (or was it me that struggled?);
• Seeing the youngest off to college, only to struggle with his health;
• Advising daughter #2 as she sues for full custody;
• Selling my parents house;
• Moving my parents to their new apartment;
• Dad dying unexpectedly;
• Daughter #1 getting married;
• Mom living with us.

And I wonder, is this how it is supposed to be?

Xavy is the most verbal boy I have ever observed. Today, he told me when I moved the chair so he could step onto it, "Excellent!" While playing in the bath, he asked the shark, "Comprendo?"

I'm not sure I "comprendo" all that God is doing in my life. But when it comes to Xavy, this one excellent truth always holds true: "Children are a blessing from the Lord."

Sundays Are Different Now - A Reflection

14 October 2012

I have always loved studying God's Word. Indeed, so much so, that my greatest delight for many years was to study 20-plus hours a week and deliver a coherent message on Sunday morning. I suppose some might debate the "coherent" part.

But can I confess? More often than not, Sunday was not my favorite day of the week. As much as the proclamation of the Word brings me great joy, many aspects of the day were less pleasurable. My ability to worship was limited as details enveloped me.

Sundays are different for me now. I enjoy them so much. I do get the opportunity to speak often and that brings me joy. But I find as much joy going to church to listen to someone else. Today it was my successor at Randall, Pastor Josh LaRavia. It was my first time back at Randall when I had no reason to be there, except to worship.

I am proud of the young man who has taken my place at Randall. He comes with rock solid teaching and a heart to fulfill God's mission. I feel so blessed that he is there. And perhaps best of all, I worshipped and learned much from this younger man. I still have much to learn. It was a great day.


You've been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the Christians there, and you'll be a good servant of Jesus. (I Timothy 4.6, The Message)

Legacy - James Albert Decker (14)

5 October 2012

A message of condolence delivered on 24 June 2012

I was able to speak to Jim several months ago after having been out of touch since leaving Lima in 1990. We met when I enrolled at Elim and enrolled our daughter at LCS. A year later, he called me out of the blue and I ended up teaching PE and Bible, and coaching.  Twenty-seven years later, I'm still hanging out in Christian schools and doing what Jim pointed me to all those years ago. I count his friendship and trust to have been precious to me and my family.