Conference yukon::christian_v7

    Dave that was incredible... you are right this is a treasure.  And just
    think the prophecy of "Till we meet again" has been fulfilled.
    
    I'm looking forward to the next posting.
    
    Nancy

    My brother-in-law Scott read that testimony at the memorial service and
    he concluded it with "Lloyd, til we meet again".
    
    Dave

 And what a beautiful testimony it is..






 Jim

                                  Age
                                   by 
                              Lloyd Waters
                              May 28, 1978

	What is age?  It is but an element of time.  It may be early or 
    it may be late.  What we do with it matters, what we do not do with
    it also matters.  It would seem that the best and most lasting rewards 
    come from putting time to good use.
	Working in a hospital, we are exposed to many conditions involving
    people of all ages.  The attitudes of such a cross section are as varied
    as the number of people.  Age seems to have no particular bearing on the
    attitudes of people.
	We were walking along the corridor the other day and saw this gentle-
    man, whose cancer ridden head was swarthed in bandages.  His face was 
    all contorted into a grotesque similarity to something human.  As we 
    approached him, his greeting was rather astonishing, for he thought not
    of himself but of the happiness our hymn (which we were softly whistling)
    imparted to others.
	This elderly man (83 years old) knew how to live.  He was completely
    given to the needs of others for their happiness and comfort.  He actually
    caters to the needs of patients, many of whom are much better off phys-
    ically than he.
	Age.  What is it?  It appears to be a state of mind.  True, we age
    chronologically but need we take away from the years by dwelling on the 
    fact that we are so old!  God forbid!  These should be our best years.
	To attain a degree of happiness, we must give somewhat of ourselves.
    If one dwells on his or her own personal conveniences (or lack of them)
    and disregards the needs of others, he can do little other than incur the 
    torment that he so richly deserves.  To be the recipients of true joy,
    we must be givers of ourselves.  It is when we become selfless that we
    achieve goals and heights that we could never imagine.
	We often reflect on our childhood history and the life of an old
    black man who came into our neighborhood.  To many he was just another 
    black person, but to us he was a constant source of encouragement, joy
    and in a very real sense, our livelihood.  He was always doing something
    to better the lives of others, and as we look back we can recall no one 
    more happy than this friend to humankind.
	Shortly before he died, we paid a visit to his home one afternoon.
    Now crippled with arthritis and nearly blind, one might imagine that he
    would have been lamenting his present state.  Not so!  This aged gentle-
    man immediately arrested any misgivings.  One could readily sense that 
    he was in the presence of a saint of God.
	He always had because he always gave.  The more he had the more he 
    gave.  We will never forget him.  He gave much more than worldly goods
    (although he certainly shared these).  He shared his richest blessings:
    the knowledge of God's Son, His Savior and His Salvation.
	We thank God that there are men such as the two ageless ones cited
    herein.  For, were it not for the testimony of this old black man, the
    elderly cancer ridden patient most likely would never have heard the 
    hymn we were whistling that day, nor the testimony that followed.
	We find it not too inconvenient to share, nor do we to acquiesce to
    comforting the needs of others and the opportunities to share pleasantries
    that will soften the day's trials.
	Giving is as old as time itself and as young as today.  Let our lives
    be always lived in this light.
	Age!  What is it?  It is what you make it!  Make it count as a blessing
    to all, and in so doing you will inherit the joys of a never ending youth.
	Age!  A time, a place, service, others, you!
    

I don't know if Lloyd wrote this or if this was something that caught his
eye and he thought it important enough to include in his folder.  It certainly
touched my heart and I include it here.



	I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
	I was given poverty, that I might be wise...
	I asked for health, that I might do greater things,
	I was given infirmity, that I might do better things...
	I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
	I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey...
	I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
	I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God...
	I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
	I was given life, that I might enjoy all things...
	I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for...

	My unspoken prayers were answered.
    

    Dave shared this poem with me over the phone [great to hear your
    voice!] and it really ministered to me...
    
    I think I'll share it with my girls this week.  I dunno who wrote it,
    sounds like an original to me.  The style has been used in a lot of
    poetry and prose, but this one I've never heard before.
    
    Thanks,
    Nancy

    Dave,
    
    Thank you so very much for sharing with us.  It has rekindled my
    resolve to write my autobiography for my children and grandchildren. 
    You have such a wonderful opportunity to know your father in a very
    special way.  You make me resolve to do the same for my family.
    
    Thank you so much!
    
    Your Other Brother Daryl

                           THE LITTLE THINGS COUNT
                                     by
                                Lloyd Waters

	For sometime now we (my wife and I) have been helping our young 
    daughter and husband by babysitting our two adorable grandchildren. 
    What a joyous experience!
	More and more we are beginning to appreciate life's many blessings.
    The bible states, "A little child shall lead them."  Too often along 
    life's way we have allowed skepticism to creep in and obscure this  
    beautiful truth.
	We have found it so easy to go into some toy shop and pay out good
    money to beautifully designed items, which we were assured was just what
    the children would want most.  However, after a few moments of exposure,
    the toy would be tossed aside, and an old wooden spool or a discarded
    spoon or wome other such "worthless" item would become the center of 
    attention.  The joy displayed at re-finding these things would be effer-
    vescent.
	We wonder at all this and ask ourselves, "Why?"  Could it be that we
    as adults have forgotten the lessons of our own childhood?  Is it poss-
    ible that we desire too much, the more glittering rather than the simple
    things of this life?
	If we examine the scriptures we realize that we often place our 
    values on too many costly appearing ways and things.  We must have the
    finest home, the most glamorous wife or handsome husband, the most expen-
    sive raiment, the sharpest car around.  We gain all these and more, but
    still wait for the peace and content evidenced by these little children.
	All of this reminds us of an early lesson.  It has been too long 
    forgotten.  Jesus spoke very plainly when He spoke, on many occasions,
    of God's revealing the deeper truths to babes and such as are simple in
    the faith. (Matt. 12:25)
	We have been reminded to seek not the riches or the things they 
    afford, but rather the gifts which God has placed at our disposal.  This
    is simplicity with which little children live.  Could we do better than 
    they?  How wonderfuly they speak and witness to us with the sermons of
    their lives.
	We are so grateful for the little things of God's offerings.  He
    gives, but only as we take, do we appreciate.  We search, we work, we 
    worry, we believe, we blame, not willing to admit the wisdom we lack.
    We want, but we seldom, if ever, take the most satisfying things.  These
    are the simple gifts which every little child finds happiness in knowing
    are his and her's.
	Little things, little people, little sermons.  God's blessings all!
    God's wisdom seems to be with His simple little children.  Would that
    we could become as they.  There would be no poverty.  There would be no
    anguish.  We would live one day at a time knowing that all that we would
    or could ever need He would supply.
	Sophisticated thoughts and modes of living have warped our sense of
    values and stolen much of the beauty and joy from us.  Not so with a 
    child.  He is still on the right path.  He loves and trusts, just accep-
    ting that which he knows is his.
    

                           A BELATED TRIBUTE TO DAD
                                      by
                                 Lloyd Waters

			I felt the strain of steel bands
			   upon my arm that day
			and though I strained to break their hold,
			   I could not pull away.

			Like sinews, as I tugged and pulled,
			   they tighter grew that day
			to keep me lest I should fall
			   to harm along Life's way.

			I knew not then - nor could I know
			   that Dad's restraining hold
			was directed by a greater Love
			   to help me fill His mold.

			How grateful now - His child am I
			   for a father who really cared
			and who in everything he did,
			   his very life he shared.
    

                               WALK WITH ME
                                    by
                               Lloyd Waters

		If you have learned to walk
		A little more sure-footedly than I,
		Be patient with my stumbling then
		And know that only as I do my best and try
		May I attain the goal
		For which we both are striving.

		If through experience, your soul
		Has gained heights which I
		As yet in dim-lit vision see,
		Hold out your hand and point the way,
		Lest from its straightness I should stray,
		And walk a mile with me.
    

    Dave, 
    
    Let me encourage you to continue placing these in here, lest I sound
    repetitive, they are a joy to read.
    
    Thanks,
    Nancy

    Nancy,
    
    If we find more, I will put them in.  However, at this time I've given
    you all I have.
    
    Dave

    Thanks Dave for sharing with us.
    
    Dermot
    

    I have really enjoyed these entries Dave.  Thank you for entering them.
    
    Sasha

    David:
    
    As I read your Dad's testimony and the hardships he endured, it
    reminded me of the song and hardships of this writer.
    
    "When peace like a river attendeth my way
     when sorrow like sea billows role...
     whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say
     It is well..it is well with my soul."
    
    I can't remember the writer of this song but his writing of this famous
    hymn was the result of losing his son at a very young age, losing his
    property in the Chicago fire, and losing the rest of his children in
    the sinking of the Titanic.  His wife sent him a telegram saying
    
    "All lost..save me (except me).
    
    In light of this man's hardships, he still kept his eyes on the Lord.
    This is why his song is so moving.  Your dad strikes me as this type of
    man and I look forward to seeing him some day!!
    
    God Speed,
    
    -Jack

One of my favorite hymns, Jack, it never fails to bring tears to my 
eyes.  Well said.

Sandy

>>One of my favorite hymns, Jack, it never fails to bring tears to my 
>>eyes.  Well said.

I think some kind soul actually posted the whole story over in 79.11.  8^)
Yeah, makes me cry too.


David,

Your father-in-law's writings are very insightful.  I imagine he was a
very caring person.  I've enjoyed reading them.

Rick

>>One of my favorite hymns, Jack, it never fails to bring tears to my 
>>eyes.  Well said.
    
    It was one of Lloyd's favorites too.
    
    Dave

 We sang this hymn in church this past Sunday..always seems that the congrega-
tion cranks it up a notch or 2 on this one..and we were blessed by one of the
choir members who had a trumpet and played along..






Jim

                             My Greatest Joy
                                   by
                              Lloyd Waters

	During my early years I was one who loved farm life and all that
     went with it.  I was reared on a farm.
  	To be out in the gardens during the planting and harvesting, or 
     in the fields during the haying seasons, each held a particular 
     fascination for me.  But more than this, I was greatly impressed 
     with the animal life which was a major part of our farming.
	Like most youngsters exposed to dairy farming, one particular 
     calf had to become most important.  I watched her grow to a young 
     heiffer and our friendship grew as well.  It was a strong bond, which 
     reflected a mutual liking of one for the other.
   	One evening, as we were rounding up the cattle, my pet was not to
     be found anywhere.  It immediately became my father's concern (but more
     especially mine) that the young heiffer had strayed.
	Tossing caution to the wind I took off on a run down through the
     hoof-pocked and rock strewn pasture land.  No thought was given for 
     my own safety.  After all, this was familiar land.  I had played here
     many times.
	Suddenly I heard a voice call my name "Lloyd!"  Thinking it was 
     my father, who I could not see, I started the mad jaunt once more.
     Again the voice echoed "Lloyd, be careful!"  At this point, I went 
     looking for my dad who had gone to the stables to milk the herd.
	Upon asking him if he had been out in the pasture, I learned that
     he had not.  After relating what had happened, and the voice I heard,
     he advised that I should not return to the field.  He explained that 
     this was God's warning of dangers I could not anticipate.
	As the years passed and I matured, God's wonder-working power has
     become more evident.  His love and concern for me has transcended all
     the experiences, dangers and threats to which life has subjected me.
	In our home, religion was never spoken of nor was faith.  However,
     the Holy Spirit went to work in my life at a very early age and has never 
     given up on me.  My faith, in spite of myself, has grown and is growing.
	At the age of 14 I received my first real impression of God at work
     in the heart of man.  As I reflect on my past, this incident stands
     out as the one most important happening in my life.  It concerns my
     salvation.  It happened during the depression years.
	My dad was out of work and we were living "hand to mouth".  John
     McIntyre, a born again colored truckman appeared on the scene.  He 
     was hauling rubbish and ashes, and asked my dad if he would care to
     work for him.  This was truly a blessing.  It not only provided food
     for the table, but as I later learned, food for the soul.
	On days when there was little or no work, Mr. McIntyre always 
     appeared with a checker-board or horse-shoes and stakes "to pass  
     the time of day".  He also carried something even more valuable, a 
     seemingly endless supply of God's Word, which he was always sharing.
     It seemed so easy for him to open his heart to everyone.  His burden 
     was that everyone should know his Savior.
	Upon his invitation, I went to "his" church one Sunday.  It didn't
     stop there, however.  I found myself looking ahead to each "next Sun-
     day".  Then one glorious day God became real to me.  His spirit just 
     filled my soul, and I became a new creature.  How great a salvation!
     This prepared me for many trials and heartaches which I was to later
     experience.  Praise the Lord.
	On the occasion of my oldest son's death, I found the burden over-
     bearing, until I met the dear Christian wife of my closest friend. 
     Upon inquiring as to how the boy was I informed her that he had gone
     home.  Instead of expressing hollow words of sympathy she began singing
     ever so sweetly "Till We Meet Again".  No one can possibly know the 
     peace that flooded my soul at that moment.  The impact of the song was
     such that I seemed to hear the Holy Spirit say "You will meet again
     in the new home."
	Two years later, with the death of my younger son, He sufficed 
     again.  He's always there when you need Him most.  We are admonished
     in the scriptures, Phillipians 4:6,7 to "be careful for nothing but in 
     everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your
     requests known unto God.  And the peace of God which passeth all   
     understanding *is yours* through Christ Jesus."  He keeps His word 
     and never fails.
	God has sent many messengers into my life: Mr. John McIntyre,
     Stephen Orford, Billy Graham, Bill McLeod, Lloyd Lees, Harold and  
     Jewel White, and many others.  Too, there have been many dear pastors,
     each witnessing of the love of God, salvation through His son Jesus 
     and the Holy Spirit who prepares the hearts of man.  The message of 
     Christ born, crucified and risen, who is coming again to claim His 
     own is so clear.
	To evaluate the performance of these messengers is an impossibility,
     except to say that each has done his job real well.  The Holy Spirit
     has spoken to me through each of them.  Never-the-less, As I look back,
     my greatest thrill has always been that day when God the Holy Spirit 
     spoke through John McIntyre and convicted me of my sin.  Salvation was
     the gift and the instrument of the making known the gift was this loyal
     black son of God.  I will always praise the name of Jesus for that day.
    

    Thank you!
    
    Cynthia Martin
    

    Dave,
    
    I'm so sorry to have missed your posting of this (traveling and all has
    made it tough to keep up on the conference).
    
    Your father-in-law was (is!) a special man.  Thank you for sharing his
    beautiful testimony with us.
    
    I pray that your wife and family are continuing on with grace, in
    Lloyd's absence.  Thanks be to God that one day we shall all be
    reunited!
    
    Love in Him,
    
    -greta