We'll miss you Grandpa

her·it·age: something that comes or belongs to one by reason of birth

In every family there is a heritage that is passed from one generation to the next. For many it is given in a monetary amount. For a few the most treasured heritage that can be passed on is that of character.

The heritage of character, like money can be squandered in a single generation. But if it is valued and cared for with the utmost respect it will become long standing for generations to come.

I am privileged to say that I have received a great gift from family, the Marlings. My Grandpa Marling was a man of great character. He was a story teller and in those stories were nuggets of character being passed on to each generation, three to be exact. I see my Dad, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins now carrying these gifts. Ready to impart to the generations to come.

Here are just a few that I have received from my Grandpa Marling

Being a Marling means…

Having a Servant’s Heart

Choosing a positive attitude

Laughing often

Having a deep love and appreciation for God’s creation

Valuing time with family

Having a generous spirit

Respect and honor for one’s parents

Honesty in all things

Unyielding strength and courage

Compassion for others less fortunate

A long-lasting commitment to God

Thank you Grandpa for your stories, the epic life you lived, and the love you gave to us. Your heritage will always live in our hearts.

William Marling

January 15, 1917 - February 20, 2009

A Valentine for You!

My Love,

You are beautiful, beloved, entrusted, adored, accepted, forgiven, valued, purchased, restored, precious, adopted, esteemed, strong, capable, intelligent, empowered, worthy, anointed, sent, watched over, delighted in, and altogether lovely....

You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride; you have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes. Your beauty is captivating. It speaks, invites, nourishes, comforts, and inspires—your beauty is transcendent, my love.

My longing for your affection is deep and constant, for you are my treasure and my delight. You are my beloved. Take comfort in my love and let it wash over you with peace – it is forever yours.

Your Bridegrooom,
Jesus

"Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods d rown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised."

Song of Solomon 8:7

Written by: Rachel Empey

Running Again....this time with Courage!

Paul and I have started running again with the 1VoiceRunners, training for the (half) Music City Marathon in April.

Last year when we started running it was right around the same time that I started the ASI program at Newsong. I cannot tell you the overwhelming insecurities that came with running and training for ministry. I felt completely unfit to do either one. With great faith, accountability in friends, and sweaty palms, I went for it. Uncomfortable, yes!! Challenging, definitely!! Good days and bad days, absolutely!! But I did it and I can look back and see all that the Lord grew in me in just a short amount of time.

So, here I am starting our second term of classes, and running...again. And I feel more confident this time. I am running again....but this time it isn't away from physical health and the call on my life. I am courageously running forward in great anticipation of all that the Lord has for me physically and spiritually this year.

Acts 4:13 says,

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."

Peter and John?? Unschooled and Ordinary?? We are talking about two disciples who were on the inner circle....they were the closest friends of Jesus. PETER, who Jesus said, "I will build my church on." And JOHN, "the disciple whom Jesus loved." These men were seen by the crowd as unschooled and ordinary. BUT, because they exuded great courage, the crowd knew they had to have been with Jesus.

In this season, I will run with courage. When I feel (or am) unschooled and ordinary I will take courage in the Lord. And the crowds will gasp and say, "how did such an ordinary woman accomplish this? She must be with Jesus!"