Top 5: Evidences of Grace, Wayne and Carol

 Enthusiasm for spiritual things

1. There is one thing you will never hear at the end of a conversation with Wayne Beilgard. You will never, ever hear someone say, “That guy is really boring.” What is it that makes Wayne this way? Having an engaging personality helps, and and so does being willing to talk about other people (both true about Wayne). But the contagious excitement in conversations with Wayne goes beyond either of these things. With him, it's never boring because he's excited about God. He raves about what God is doing in other people's lives. He'll tell you what he sees God doing in your life—and just try to to tell me that doesn't make you excited by the time he's done! The joy of the Lord just seems to radiate from of the Beilgards, because they are genuinely thankful for what God has done. And they don't just thank the Giver of all good things. They bring everyone they know along with them, surrounding themselves with a crowd of thankful worshipers of Christ.

Honesty

2. Every time I talk with Carol Beilgard, I am impressed with her straightforwardness. She isn't overbearing or rude, but she refuses to be fake. It is so refreshing to hear God's truth applied to your situation without cotton candy or bubble wrap. Carol tells it like it is. Besides this, she is honest about her own mistakes. Hearing Carol's personal testimony for the first time was impactful on my heart. She didn't spare the listeners from the truth of her own sinfulness--so she didn't keep us from the full weight of God's marvelous grace in her life. Carol's honesty allows her to be a vessel of God's grace and truth to everyone she speaks with.

Generosity

3. The Beilgards give generously, as God has given to them. To illustrate this, let me tell you a little story that took place last Sunday night. Church was over, and everyone was leaving for the night. On my way out the door, I saw Wayne coming out of the church offices, putting a book in his bag. I asked him what it was. His face lit up and he told me how much he liked it. “Do you want one?” he asked. I said, “Are you serious?” He was, so one of my friends and I followed him into his office while he told us about the book, then took two copies off of his shelf and gave us each one. Three other girls meandered towards his office, and he gave two more of the books away. Now, this is all fairly understandable, since Wayne gets some books on the church's budget for the sole purpose of giving them away. But then, the 5^th girl told Wayne she had already read the book he was giving. He showed her another one, and she already had that one at home, too. So Wayne said, “Just pick one off my shelf.” Now, I don't know about you, but I like the books I have! I have a small stash of my favorites, and I like to keep those off limits, if at all possible. But here Wayne opened up his entire bookshelf for someone to take from. What's more, he lamented that his favorite book was at home; he actually wanted to give her that one! Wayne has already enjoyed what his books have to offer—so he's willing to give them away. It's all so that God can bless someone else—even through the sacrifice of a favorite book.

This isn't just a one-time, isolated event. The Beilgards are giving people, period. You are far more likely to find Wayne and Carol spending their time and energy on serving others than on serving themselves.

Selflessness

4. Wayne and Carol are truly others focused. Last year, Carol found out she had some cancer. I remember being shocked by the news, and worried for her. I expected to express this in conversation the next time we talked. I should have known better. Carol wasn't interested in talking about herself. She refused to let even this serious trial in her personal life keep her from being truly selfless. In good times and in bad, her focus is on making other people see Jesus better. And if that means they see Carol less clearly, that's alright with her. I long to be like this!

Boldness

5. Wayne and Carol beat about everyone I know when it comes to evangelism. Here's why: they love the lost more than they love themselves, and they love Jesus more than they love anyone else. Wayne and Carol have both endured persecution for being sold out for Christ. Have I? I've undoubtedly suffered less than they have, yet I worry far more. This is because I fail to see the eternal value of winning souls for Jesus. What could be more important than that? Wayne and Carol live this joyful calling every day, with a boldness I desperately want for myself. I am challenged and convicted by their example. But most of all, I praise God for His work in these two lives, for as they'd be the first to tell you, all glory goes to Him!

Happy Anniversary: Evidences of Grace, Spencer and Amy

Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad! I am so thankful to God for you, every day. I don't know where I would be without you.  I'm glad I don't ever need to know, because God has blessed my life so much through always having you around. Thank you for showing me Jesus every day.

5. Anniversary. This anniversary represents more than just a good memory of the day my mom and dad expressed once and for all their commitment to each other. It represents 19 years of life as one person, serving God and loving God more deeply with each year through their unity in Him.

4. Wife and mother. “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord, For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, His body, and is Himself its Savior.”

We live in a world that thinks being a wife and mom is a waste of time. But we follow a God who says that being a wife and mom can represent the very glory of His Son and His bride to everyone around us. I have a mom who truly believes that, and who does an excellent job of portraying God's glory. She is quick to give up her own wishes in order to submit to my dad or serve her kids. I don't even want to talk about trying to follow her example—I have so far to go before I am ready for that. Nonetheless, I praise God for giving me her to show what marriage and family can be for His glory.

3. Husband and father. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with His word.”
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

I do not deserve the dad I have. I don't think I know anyone else in the world who is as committed to God's word as he is. His faithful teaching of the Bible to me has instilled the fear of the Lord in me from the earliest age. Besides this, he is a great example of a man biblically leading his wife according to God's will. Think there's another guy as good as him somewhere in the world? I sure hope so!

2. Sacrifice. I can't count the times when either of my parents has sacrificed something important to them. They give up their desires for the sake of their ministries, their kids, and each other. For example, even though they love to have us kids at home with them, they let us pursue other things that are important to us, even at the expense of what could have been family time. They've taught me from the beginning that true love (for anyone) means sacrifice, and I am often amazed by how quick they are to sacrifice their personal desires for the sake of loving one another, and me.

1. Love for each other. The world says that two people should fall in love and stay in love because they are attracted to each other and make each other happy. I am so thankful that God has put me in a family that is such a stark contrast to worldliness. There is no question that my mom and dad are totally happy with each other, but there is so much more to their marriage than a selfish world thinks there should be. Their love is deeper than that, because it stems from them loving Jesus first and foremost. Besides this, they are willing to forgive each other when they fail—meaning that when one doesn't make the other happy, the relationship can still thrive. My mom and dad love each other, not the way the world loves, but the way that Jesus and the church love each other.

Top 5: Evidences of Grace, Guy and Faythe

1. Love for Others
Guy and Faythe Ladd are the parents of a close friend of mine.  But every time I am around them, I feel as though they are my friends too.  I'm not alone in this.  There are quite few people in the world (in Racine and elsewhere) whose lives have been touched by Guy and Faythe's love for others.  You feel genuinely loved by them; not like when you're around people who are only tolerating your company or who act like they'd rather be doing something other than entertaining you.  And their love for others is not just about serving them and meeting their physical needs.  It's a Christlike love that cares for the spiritual well-being of others above all.
2.  Wisdom 
Mr. and Mrs. Ladd have a lot of wisdom to show for the years they have been walking with the Lord.  Recently I saw this as I was sitting at the dining room table with them for a meal.  Mr. Ladd will often bring up a topic of edifying discussion for everyone to talk about.  This time he asked us our thoughts on just how holy and Christlike a human could become, based on some passages of scripture he had been studying.  He often leads his family (and guests) in a conversation like this that is thought-provoking, edifying, and usually very convicting.  This is a fantastic way to apply what he is learning personally, and cause others to think about the Lord too.  I am thankful for how God has given him wisdom, and spread that to others through him.
3.  Servants' Hearts
This one should go without saying to anyone who has ever known a Ladd.  They are serving machines.  From stocking up someone's fridge with groceries the day they come in from out of town, to teaching Sunday school or VBS at church, to giving someone a place to stay and food to eat without asking anything in return, the Ladds show over and over again that, like Jesus, they would rather serve than be served.
4.  Hospitality
Hospitality is mentioned and commanded numerous times throughout the New Testament--but it is a character trait that many people either don't have or just don't understand.  If you are wondering how to be hospitable, let me suggest that you learn from Faythe Ladd.  Even if you aren't as good a cook as she is (I'd be impressed if you were), you can still learn from the ways she cares for every person who visits her home.  She makes people feel welcome.  Hospitality, as I see it in Faythe, is all about giving.  I want to imitate her in this, especially if God ever lets me become a wife and mom.
5. Example
The Ladds have been faithfully following God for a lot of years now.  As with Ace and Linda, I see them as great examples for younger people of what we should strive to become.  They have demonstrated godly parenting and continuous service of the Lord over the years.  And the fruit of their efforts is plainly visible in the lives of their kids and everyone else they've reached out to.  It is encouraging to me to see the end result of years of obeying God.  Knowing the Ladds makes me want to follow harder after Him, so that a few years from now, I can be where they are.

Top 5: Evidences of Grace, Dave and Linda

1. 
   
   Wisdom
   Ace Westcomb is one of those people who has been in his ministry forever. He has at least 13 years of high school leadership.  But it isn't just the length of years that makes him a good leader. He has had a growing, thriving relationship with God for even longer, giving him a huge capacity for encouraging others and giving them godly advice.
2. 
   
   Example
   Young people like me need examples of godly lives lived out. Ace and Linda Westcomb are invaluable in that respect. Young adults need to see what a marriage that honors Christ looks like—one that has stood the test of time. We need to see people who love the church, love their kids, and endure in serving the Lord even when life gets tough. I see all these things in Ace and Linda.
3. 
   
   Serving others
   If you spend any amount of time at Racine Bible Church, you know that Linda Westcomb is hugely involved in ministry there. She is a crucial part of the framework that holds things together and keeps them running smoothly. If you ever happen to be in her office on a workday (which I have been) you will certainly find yourself wondering “How does she do it?” She will take multiple phone calls, make connections, send e-mails, arrange the church bulletin, figure out whose car is parked on the crosswalk in front of the door, and write down memos all while having an edifying conversation with you! Ace and Linda are serving machines.
4. Care for others
   This is a blessing that I have experienced personally. My mom and dad were overseas for about three weeks this summer. While they were, Ace and Linda practically filled in for them as our parents. It's hard to explain if you've never felt this before, but I am not being too nice or exaggerating when I say that Ace and Linda were family to us. Being around them was just like being with adopted parents or grandparents. I saw a thousand times how much they really cared for our physical and spiritual well-being.
5. 
   
   Mentoring
   I have several friends at RBC who just so happen to be guys. And most of them also happen to be living, breathing testimonies to Ace Westcomb's faithful discipleship. A recent prayer request Ace shared with me included the names of no less than four sophomore and junior high school guys who he plans on meeting with every week.  As someone who knows these guys fairly well (and is closely related to one), I can't tell you how thankful I am that they get the opportunity to spend even 20 minutes with such a fantastic influence as Ace.