Legacy Building

"Legacy Building." Where does it all start. 

According to scripture, building a spiritual legacy begins in the home. (Deuteronomy 6:7) 

With five sons, a dad might need to be intentional about finding some one-on-one time in order to follow these commandments. (Deuteronomy 6:1-9)

Or....take advantage of a spontaneous moment on "the "front steps."

Building a legacy takes many moments, both intentional and spontaneous.

You leave what you live.

Building a legacy side by side. Dog included!

3 FUNERALS IN 3 DAYS

Life lessons can be learned anywhere, even in the midst of death!
Many different lessons I learned as I attended 3 funeral events, three days straight. Some lessons varied.
However, the one constant, in the lives honored, was  that of a godly life well lived.
A spiritual heritage!
Having heard eulogies and commendations from family members of the deceased, I understood their true legacy. Not just an "inheritance," which more often than not, is equated in financial terms.

I couldn't tell you anything about those "inheritances" they left to others, but I clearly saw the legacy their lives had imparted to each of their loved ones.

They hid God's word & deeds of faithfulness in their hearts and then shared them throughout their lives. That's the legacy they left, each in his own way.

We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. (Psalm 78:4)

Their faithfulness has endured to all generations----at least their "generations" I have met and known. (Psalm 119:90; Psalm 145:4)

They left a legacy. So what's the one BIG life lesson from the 3 funerals?

One must a have a legacy in order to leave a legacy!

A Life Well-Lived

 “Life well-lived” was the phrase I heard several times at today’s  funeral for Dr. A.B. “Bud” Weir. 

A God-honoring life. 

A life devoted to his wife and service to others. 

A life that embodied Micah 6:8……as for many years both he and his wife, Sunny, walked humbly with their God. 

Fully devoted, faithful to the Lord and faithful to each other. 

On fire for God. Follower of Jesus Christ.

I know this to be true because of the heritage I have seen in Dr. Weir’s children and in the grandchildren whom I know. Bud Weir “walked his talk” as the pastor said, and passed the spiritual baton on to each of his four children.

He shared his life in love and service to family, friends and many others whose paths he crossed. He shared his faith that never wavered, and he shared his hope that was based on eternal truth from God’s word.

In essence, Dr. Weir's legacy outlives his life because his family carries on the spiritual impact left by their father. 

That, my friends, is truly “a life well lived!”

Heri-TEA-age : a memorable cuppa

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, ESV)

I spent way too much time on the computer this morning. I was beginning reading 2 Timothy in prep for my church's "Leaving a Legacy of Eternal Significance" study and............... 

Following the assignment to read through the entire book, I went back to chapter 1 to answer questions. Then, a "reflection" question led me to google. I have always known of the sincere faith of my grandmothers---though one had a more grace-filled approach than my (possibly a little more legalistic) other one. But, for years I had also heard of the faith of Uncle Mabry's sister, Anna (aka "Stockade Annie") and the googling began.....and 3 hrs later...... I am filled with awe of a woman who had no children but became surrogate mom/grandmom to many. 

At Fort Campbell, KY, formerly Camp Campbell built on the Mabry's family farm land, Annie began a ministry. A ministry based on the mission stated in the New Testament for all Christians---visit the sick and those in prison. And that's what she did from the opening of the base (101^st Airborne Division) in 1942 until her death at 93 in the post hospital in 1969.*                                  

I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. (Matthew 25:36)

That's the cuppa heri-TEA-age I want to leave for my children and grands. A living faith. A faith that serves others.

Maybe I will use "Stockade Annie's" teaspoons at my next tea party with my grands. The silver was a gift to her, Anna Mabry Barr of Clarksville, TN---given to her  by the New Orleans parish of Layfayette Presbyterian Church to welcome her, the bride of their pastor, Dr. John Barr. (February 5, 1901)

*So much brewing on this "spirited" and spiritual relative, that another entry will probably be served.

"Sen-TEA-mental"

...when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois......., and I am persuaded is in you also. (2 Timothy 1: 5, NKJV)

This past week, I have been on a sen-TEA-mental journey of sorts. I've spent time with both my brothers (tea drinkers together as kids) as well as cousin Joy. Joyce, as others call her, was a big part of my childhood, tho we lived in different states. (only 24 miles apart) She's always been a Tennessee gal---I've just re-located here from Kentucky.

Sen-TEA-mental--that would be me---it's the adjective that modifies the cuppa I drink from a lot lately. It’s this emotional tendency that causes me to "puddle" at inopportune times. It's  where most of my "house" clutter originates….it's so hard to part with things that prompt feelings of tenderness and nostalgia, along with a little sadness woven in.

Parting from dear ones, those whom I rarely see, always has me excessively prone to those feelings. Plus, on this trip, sweet Joy has given me, a sen-TEA-mental gal, great joy. She gave me Mama’s rocker.

Thus, this morning, coupled with the fact that my cancer doc visit would be in just a couple of hours, I gave into the excessive indulgence of my emotions. Praising and "puddling."

As Timothy's grandmother taught him the Scriptures from a young age, it was my grandmother, "Mama Davenport," who let me watch midget wrestling on Saturday nights and still got me up early for the walk to church the next day. 

She taught me scriptures as well....as we walked up Second Street turned right onto Union and a block later hung a right on to Madison Ave. and on down a ways to the First Christian Church. It was on the south side of the street on a corner and we always entered the front door, furthest east. Not sure why. 

I assume God knew that one day my faith would blossom, and my faith was due, in no small measure, to the godly upbringing and influence of Mama.

All of these sentimental thoughts of gratitude crowded my head as I had my cuppa seated in Mama's rocker and read Psalm 121 from her battered Bible. 

The thought that God might use me to pass on an eternal legacy to my children's children has me "puddling" in my sen-TEA-mental cuppa .

"heredi-TEA" : an individual cuppa

We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders. (Psalm 78:4, NLT)

In the Christian faith, one is not born a Christian. Everyone comes to the Lord on his own. Acceptance of faith is not hereditary. Heredi-TEA in the Lord doesn't come through the bloodline of the parents, but through an individual's acceptance of the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. One claims faith for himself; it's not ascribed by birth.

However, God's word instructs us in several ways to guide one's children to that end: to share the goodness of the Lord; to tell of His deeds and power in one's own life; Recalling all the ways God has shown His hand.  

Legacy in the spiritual realm is a lifestyle as you can only leave what you live.

As DTS former professor, Howard Hendricks, said, "You cannot impart what you do not possess."

You teach what you know, but you reproduce what you are.
Our older son brings each of his sons to Memphis the summer prior to his kindergarten year for a “heritage trip.”  A trip to Daddy’s hometown to see us, the paternal grandparents, along with Daddy’s former homes, schools and favorite places, and a side trip to Pickwick---where his daddy spent his growing up years.

A time of one-on-one events, coupled with lots of BBQ.

May each Liles generation "set its hope anew on God,..." (Psalm 78:7)

Building relationships is key to sharing a faith that "sticks"......"so the next 

generation might know them, even the children not yet born and they in turn 

will teach their own children." (Psalm 78:6)

"Heredi-TEA" : an individual cuppa of faith served singly (one by one) by the Lord Himself.

"Prosperi-TEA for Posteri-TEA"

So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. (Psalm 71:18, ESV)

Prosperity means many things. For most it indicates affluence based on a healthy bank statement. In both scripture and Winnie the Pooh, it can indicate "milk and honey." For the Christian, prosperity goes beyond one's calculated financial wealth. Prosperity for all Christians is made up of faithfulness to and trust in the Lord----regardless of their bank statement. Most of us know believers who have eked out , scratched by and suffered "lack" most of their lives, yet lived lives of utter fidelity to God. How prosperous are they!!

A "Prosperity Gospel" imagines the Lord as a "vending machine" God. This health and wealth gospel teaches that all one has to do is believe and receive, as they ask for God's blessings. The prosperity gospel is a half-truth, perhaps less.
Yes, God is good. God is faithful and God does bless His people, but God.....the one true God of the Bible is the God who will see us through regardless of the circumstances. Sometimes blessings are obvious and it is easy to thank Him. Other times when it seems times are so hard that one is not experiencing the blessing of God, one can still trust that God is there,  just waiting for us to turn to Him, and learn that in loving Him we have life's deepest blessing.

Posterity, on the other hand, indicates a future generation of people. People who need to know the truth of God's faithfulness. Who will tell them? Who will pass on the prosperity that accompanies a life of true faithfulness to the Lord?

As Crickett teaches," God is more interested in our character than our comfort." Our faithful character will be our legacy for posterity.

If one wants to pass on prosperity for posterity, he/she needs more than a T-shirt to tell of God's truth. The whole truth will be told by their life.

Serve a cuppa of true prosperi-TEA for the posteri-TEA of the next generation.

Legacy

9/12/12 It’s hard to load 27 years of living into a moving van as one enters a new season of life. To pack up to travel 13 hours away to a new home location and reduce one’s household to fit into a truck seems minimizing the importance of a life lived in that homeplace. The good news---it’s the relationship with people and the memories, especially the spiritual legacies, which remain. An impact on others that far outlasts our household goods. 

The Swets were such godly, caring people for us and all on our street. We watched our street change together. We watched people be carried out in ambulances together. Our kids grew up together.

We will miss their legacy of kindness as will the folks at Second Pres where Paul ministered for years. International students will miss their open door and holiday meals. All of Longreen will miss their gifts of soup on windowsills, energy drinks at the back door, caramel corn tied up with a verse of scripture and neighborhood watchfulness. 

Their kitchen table and chairs remain, along with the large, shiny “new” kitchen window’s unobstructed view of backyards. No fences between our house and theirs have given all our kids and grands lots of room to hit baseballs, ride in mini golf carts and just roam. A good neighborhood for folks to get to know each other.

This morning has the new neighbors, a young couple whose grandparents I know, making their first steps toward moving in and establish their own home and legacy. May they build a spiritual inheritance as well---a legacy that will last into eternity.