May 2025 Revealing Light Newsletter

I was taken aback when my kids were helping dig the potting soil, when I dumped some seeds into their hands for them to put into the soil, when they took the rest of the seed pouch and dumped all the seeds in, when they covered the seeds up with the dirt, when they took turns watering them until the other one dumped the last half of the bucket out, when they then wanted to find the helicopter seeds to put in there too, when they just stood there looking at the pots saying "now we just have to watch them grow!", I just cherished the moments and reflected back to when I shared these similar memories with my mom. Those bonding times that leave us with a lasting influence in our lives. I look back at the years my mom was not only patiently watching the plants grow, but also patiently listening and watching me grow. It's now been my time to listen to those late night thoughts from my kids, as I also get to patiently watch them grow. We may not always have the right words to say in every moment, but the time we share have a lasting influence as we are all growing as Disciples of Jesus. We have more influence than we may sometimes realize.

Young Timothy’s mom and grandma had a shaping influence in his life. His dad was a greek who may have been more influenced and familiar with the greek gods from his culture, but Timothy’s mom and grandma were both believers, following after God. Paul later writes to Timothy saying, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” (2 Timothy 1:5). Don’t neglect the influence you actually have on people, which goes both ways. We can reflect back to the people God placed in our lives -- thanking Him for their time in our lives, the conversations we shared; while also prayerfully and sincerely living out our faith that dwells in us with the people around us. Those moments shared in sincere faith leave each of us with a lasting influence in our lives.

2 Timothy 2:1-2
“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

- Daryl Struemph

The other day I found some documents I had never seen before.  It was then I realized the only person who could answer my questions about them was mom, and she passed away a few years ago.  So those questions will have to go unanswered.  Since we just celebrated Easter I was also thinking about Mary and all the things she was a part of by being the mother of Jesus.  In Luke chapter one the visit by Gabriel to Mary announcing God’s plan to bring Jesus into the world, is foretold.  In Luke two, the shepherds tell Mary and Joseph what the angels had proclaimed to them; and Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.  In verse 34, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary “Behold this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed –and a sword will pierce even your own soul –to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”  The gospel accounts record that she watched as he grew up and even encouraged his first miracle in John 2:1-11.  Then she had to watch him be crucified (John 19: 26).  But the story doesn’t end there for her or for us—Three days after His death He arose from the grave and appeared to many to show for certain that God keeps His promises.  The resurrection from the dead is the most authenticated event in history even apart from scriptural accounts.  It was no secret in the world where He defeated death once and for all.  So what are you going to do about it?  Romans 6 says His resurrection has implications for us as well. “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection. . .”  What a promise!  And don’t forget to say thank you to your mother if you still have the chance.

- Alan McNeely

Romans 8:11 (ESV) 
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

2 Timothy 1:8–10 (ESV)
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,