My Five Favorite Works of Fiction
Note: To qualify as a favorite, the work has to be read more than once.
1. The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien (20+ times)
2. The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis (4 times)
3. The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis (15+ times)
4. The Shack by William Young (2 times)
5. Leave it to Psmith by P. G. Wodehouse (3 times)
What are some of your favorite works of fiction?
19 July 2012
Legacy: James Albert Decker (5)
Remembrances by James J. Decker
24 June 2012
24 June 2012
The Legacy of Family
To me, they have always been Papa and Nana.
Papa left a legacy of love for his family:
For JJ: my choices in life; committed to Jesus through Jr. high, Sr. high and college; when married Natalie, he felt it was such a good choice that I was now in competition with her for
his affection.
For Natalie: her beauty, inside and out; her love and commitment to me.
For Grace: great teacher, same as Papa; taught SS, VBS, became school teacher.
For Joe
(fiancé) – just getting to know Joe, but Papa loved the fact that Joe’s love
for Grace was always evident; I am speculating, but I think he saw a bit of himself in Joe.
For Elizabeth: loved to see her on stage, dance, sing, in church as well; most recently proud of how she has cared for
Eric Xavier.
For Joel: so proud of Joel; anytime he had played his instrument or had concert, when I called, only talk was about Joel - auditions, first chair, concerts,
scholarships, etc.
For Mom: if not more than Dad; perfect; committed to family and a godly home; energy.
For Dad: his only son; natural leader, through HS,
college and career; passion for ministry
infectious; commitment to a godly and athletic home; couldn’t be more proud.
For Marilyn: Desribe the most
memorable valentine you ever received.
Who sent it to you? “The
greatest valentine I ever received was from God – in the gift of Marilyn,
herself. In February of 1957”
18 July 2012
16 July 2012
Legacy: James Albert Decker (3)
Legacy
Jim was baptized as
an Episcopal, a Catholic, and by immersion at the C&MA camp (Delta Lake) near Rome,
NY. He joked often that he was covered
by every known mode of baptism.
Jim liked to call
Paul’s wife, Dondra, his daughter-in-love.
Jim loved his grandchildren:
James Josiah, Grace Margaret, Elizabeth Anna, and Joel Paul Decker. His first great grandson also earned a
special place in his heart: Eric Xavier Decker.
Jim kept the
tradition going when Natalie married JJ, and called her his granddaughter-in-love. He had yet to say the same thing about
Grace’s future husband, Joe, but he surely would have called him his
grandson-in-love.
Jim was a prayer
warrior – plain and simple. He did not
like missing prayer meetings of any kind.
One of Paul’s fondest
memories of home life is when Jim came home from work, he would head straight
to the kitchen to kiss his wife.
Jim often joked he qualified for heaven because he had visited the C&MA camp in western Pennsylvania (Mahaffey) because it was "a little bit of heaven on earth."
Jim often joked he qualified for heaven because he had visited the C&MA camp in western Pennsylvania (Mahaffey) because it was "a little bit of heaven on earth."
When asked what
legacy he would like to leave, he wrote the following:
·
He cared.
·
He loved.
·
He knew grace.
·
He taught.
·
He glorified God.
·
He made amends.
·
He forgave and forgot.
15 July 2012
Legacy: James Albert Decker (2)
Legacy
James Albert Decker
was born to James MacLean Decker and Ruth Erma (Hilbert) Decker in 1927.
Jimmy married his
high school crush, Marilyn Anna Knapp, twelve years after they graduated in
1945.
Jim and Marilyn had
one son, Paul James, in 1958. They had hoped to have another child, and if it
was a girl, her name would have been Carolyn.
Because of his
extensive biblical knowledge, people often thought Jim was or had been a
pastor.
Jim’s occupations
after serving in the US Army were Insurance Underwriter, Bricklayer, Vocational
Teacher of Bricklaying, Guidance Counselor (specializing in learning
disabilities), Director of Lester B. Forman Center, Business Administrator, and
Principal of Lima Christian School.
Hands down, Jim’s
favorite job was Principal of Lima Christian School.
Jim’s favorite book,
besides the Bible, was A. W. Tozer’s The
Knowledge of the Holy. Recently, he
had thoroughly enjoyed Heaven Is for Real
by Todd Burpo.
Jim loved to pray for
pastors – his son Paul, his nephew Earl Johnson Jr., Wayne Muckel, Ron Johns,
Noah Stoltzfus, Mike Maloney, Ray Sissel, Pat Wilson, Don Dixon, Jim Miller,
Marty Macdonald along with many, many others.
10 July 2012
Legacy: James Albert Decker (1)
Legacy:
Well
Done,
Good
and Faithful Servant
James
Albert Decker
Born:
July 8, 1927
Promoted
to Glory: June 21, 2012
I can do
all things
through
Him
who
strengthens me.
Philippians 4.13
08 July 2012
I Am a Christian (Infusion 2012)
28 May 2012
The ongoing story of Alyssa has been mentioned before. She has been on a journey, trying to figure out what makes Christians tick. Having grown up in an atheistic Buddhist home, religion did not make sense to her. But the new found friends of CA intrigued her. She knew they cared about her, regardless of whether she was a Christian or not.
She came to Infusion last year and we saw change. It was incremental, but we confess, we were all very hopeful. When fall rolled around though, Alyssa wasn't around CA as much. Part of it, we know by her own explanation, is that she understood the cost of following Jesus. She clearly stated that she was not willing to give her life to God.
The second semester, the separation seemed to widen. She had a class during LARGE, our weekly meeting on Thursday night. As the semester grew to a close though, she would show up at the end of the meeting. I do know why. She might not admit it, but she got lots of hugs every time she showed up.
We invited Alyssa to Infusion again this year, and her answer was a clear "no." But the CA community did what it does best. They communicated how much they wanted her to be there. The day before Infusion began, Alyssa registered online and bought train tickets. The next day, she took the train from Queens to Grand Central Station, then took Amtrak from NYC to Albany.
It was evident from the start, something was different about Alyssa this time. She was having a great time, but she was also serious - very serious. I could tell just by her body language. She was focused. She was listening. She was wrestling with the truth.
On Sunday, Alyssa attended my class, "Is Jesus Really God?" During the class, she was extremely attentive. Most were exhausted from our annual hike, but not her. She was determined. She asked intelligent questions throughout as we covered the classic argument of C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity. Jesus was either a liar, lunatic, or Lord. Clearly, she was wrestling with the choices. After the seminar was over, I spoke to her about getting together the next day and talking to her about the material. Little did I know how much of a mission she was on.
That night, after our evening worship, Alyssa grabbed one of our other students, Andre, and peppered him with questions for three hours. Every objection she could come up with, Andre handled deftly and graciously (he told me later that he was a nervous wreck the whole time, and thought he had really messed things up).
The next day, Alyssa came to me and said, "Let's talk now!" As we began to talk, I told her about the time I first encountered Lewis' argument and how I kept looking for the loophole. I thought it was too easy, that something had to be missing. Not to my surprise, she said, "Me too!"
Alyssa then told me about her conversation with Andre the evening before (of which, until that moment, I was unaware). She said that she kept asking questions, and Andre kept giving credible answers. "In the end," she said, "I got it."
"Got it?" I questioned. "What do you mean?"
"I am a Christian."
There was this moment of silence, because I was stunned into speechlessness at hearing this statement (this is no small feat!). She then told me how at the end of the questions with Andre, she had decided to become a Christian and how Andre had led her in prayer.
Having regained my composure, I asked her, "What does this change?"
"This changes everything. This changes my view on everything."
I don't think I will ever be able to describe the joy of that moment. Alyssa had come home. Two years of conversations, texts, hugs, meetings over lunch, emails, and genuine compassion of her needs - communicated by CA staff and friends - had borne eternal fruit.
And my smiling continued, for a young man that my partner Tim and I have mentored was the one that had the privilege of being there that moment she received Christ.
It was a day to dance.
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
Infusion
The ongoing story of Alyssa has been mentioned before. She has been on a journey, trying to figure out what makes Christians tick. Having grown up in an atheistic Buddhist home, religion did not make sense to her. But the new found friends of CA intrigued her. She knew they cared about her, regardless of whether she was a Christian or not.
She came to Infusion last year and we saw change. It was incremental, but we confess, we were all very hopeful. When fall rolled around though, Alyssa wasn't around CA as much. Part of it, we know by her own explanation, is that she understood the cost of following Jesus. She clearly stated that she was not willing to give her life to God.
The second semester, the separation seemed to widen. She had a class during LARGE, our weekly meeting on Thursday night. As the semester grew to a close though, she would show up at the end of the meeting. I do know why. She might not admit it, but she got lots of hugs every time she showed up.
We invited Alyssa to Infusion again this year, and her answer was a clear "no." But the CA community did what it does best. They communicated how much they wanted her to be there. The day before Infusion began, Alyssa registered online and bought train tickets. The next day, she took the train from Queens to Grand Central Station, then took Amtrak from NYC to Albany.
It was evident from the start, something was different about Alyssa this time. She was having a great time, but she was also serious - very serious. I could tell just by her body language. She was focused. She was listening. She was wrestling with the truth.
On Sunday, Alyssa attended my class, "Is Jesus Really God?" During the class, she was extremely attentive. Most were exhausted from our annual hike, but not her. She was determined. She asked intelligent questions throughout as we covered the classic argument of C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity. Jesus was either a liar, lunatic, or Lord. Clearly, she was wrestling with the choices. After the seminar was over, I spoke to her about getting together the next day and talking to her about the material. Little did I know how much of a mission she was on.
That night, after our evening worship, Alyssa grabbed one of our other students, Andre, and peppered him with questions for three hours. Every objection she could come up with, Andre handled deftly and graciously (he told me later that he was a nervous wreck the whole time, and thought he had really messed things up).
The next day, Alyssa came to me and said, "Let's talk now!" As we began to talk, I told her about the time I first encountered Lewis' argument and how I kept looking for the loophole. I thought it was too easy, that something had to be missing. Not to my surprise, she said, "Me too!"
Alyssa then told me about her conversation with Andre the evening before (of which, until that moment, I was unaware). She said that she kept asking questions, and Andre kept giving credible answers. "In the end," she said, "I got it."
"Got it?" I questioned. "What do you mean?"
"I am a Christian."
There was this moment of silence, because I was stunned into speechlessness at hearing this statement (this is no small feat!). She then told me how at the end of the questions with Andre, she had decided to become a Christian and how Andre had led her in prayer.
Having regained my composure, I asked her, "What does this change?"
"This changes everything. This changes my view on everything."
I don't think I will ever be able to describe the joy of that moment. Alyssa had come home. Two years of conversations, texts, hugs, meetings over lunch, emails, and genuine compassion of her needs - communicated by CA staff and friends - had borne eternal fruit.
And my smiling continued, for a young man that my partner Tim and I have mentored was the one that had the privilege of being there that moment she received Christ.
It was a day to dance.
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
I Thessalonians 2.19-20, NIV
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