My Father Who Art In Heaven...

Thomas S. Worstell, age 87, of Moberly, departed this life on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 2009, in Moberly. He was born in Bixby, Oklahoma on September 17, 1922, son of Charles William Worstell and Minnie May Williams. On July 7, 1951, Thomas was united in marriage to Mary Marie Fleischman, who survives at the home.

He worked for 30 years at Richardson Bass Construction Company, from which he retired. During WWII he served in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Europe for four years and attained the rank of Sergeant. Thomas was baptized in Jesus Christ in his youth and he always tried to live the life that his savior wanted him to. Thomas was a member of the Westside Christian Church, in which he raised his family, which then became the Forum Christian Church, then later in life he attended the Crocker Christian Church for 10 years, and in 2004 he transferred his membership to the Timberlake Chirstian Church in Moberly . He enjoyed gardening, learning, and reading the bible. He loved his family and His Lord Jesus and was a faithful husband of 58 years.

He is survived by one daughter, Lillie Schoville and husband David of Phoenix, Arizona; four sons, Thomas Worstell and wife Duonna of Lamonte, Timothy Worstell and wife Kylene of Macon, Charles Worstell and wife Jean Ann of Crocker, and Michael Worstell and wife Dezi of Moberly; seventeen grandchildren, tengreat-grandchildren; four brothers, Frank, Gene, Paul, and Ted Worstell; two sisters, Frances Allen and Flora Toalson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one great-grandson, Mason Worstell; three brothers; two sisters; and his parents.

Visitation will be from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m., with services immediately following at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, December 29, 2009, at Mt. Zion Christian Church near Tuscumbia. Charles Worstell and Tim Worstell, sons of the deceased, will officiate. Interment with military honors under the direction of the Iberia VFW Post 6167 and the American Legion Post 105 will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested by the family to be sent to Harvesters International, a Christian missionary service organization, c/o Debbie Mallette, 18559 387th Road, Unionville, MO 63565

Arrangements are under the direction of Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Iberia.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.fancher-rekusfuneralhomes.com.

Time to Lay the Burden Down

Argh. Don't you hate it? You are teaching in class about the Way of Christ and you inadvertently touch upon a subject you know that God has been prodding you in the back of your mind.

Carry one another's burdens and in this way fulfill the law of Christ.

So, it's not what you may think. It's about spiritual pride for me. For years while we were on the mission field we believed that God would always provide for us. And he always has. Always. We would tell people about the field. Report on our successes and our failures. And trust that God would provide financially. And it was awesome. We didn't depend on flashy newsletters to get our support. We didn't have to call people or make appointments or send out envelopes. And it became a matter of pride. That we don't have to do what every one else does. God takes care of us! As if everyone else just does it for themselves.

So today, we were talking about how of course we don't need to pray. God already knows. Of course we don't have to worry about tomorrow. God's in control. And all you have to do is lay your burden down at the foot of the cross. He's already on it.

But that's not the intent of prayer. We are brought into fellowship with God when we communicate our desires and concerns in prayer. It's a privilege he affords us. He is in control because he is sovereign and he could rain down manna from heaven on a whim. Yet his exact design for us, while perplexing, is still the optimum way for us to live. So, my point?

My pride inhibits me from asking others to carry my burdens. I believe God could, can and should provide for me since I am serving him in a full time volunteer capacity in recruiting for the harvest. Yet, today I was confronted with this verse... to not carry one another's burdens is to not fulfill the law of Christ. I won't let someone carry my burden. God could. But he wants us to rely on each other too. So well...

The past two years has seen increased ministry expenses as we endeavor to develop Harvesters International. Our medical bills and expenses following the accident have depleted any and all reserves. We have had some special offerings and surprises along the way yet we are having a difficult time with our monthly responsibilities. A few churches have discontinued support since we are not technically 'on the field'. However, we believe that God is wanting us where we are as over 100 recruits have been sent from Central since 2003. We have been praying for his provision, thankful for what he continues to do... yet wondering why all of our needs are not being met. We have gone against his will for our lives by allowing ourselves to get in debt... making those decisions not believing that God could provide any other way nor giving him the chance. Our debt convicting us that we will never choose that again. And now, we are convicted that our pride, my pride has not allowed me to share the real issue with our churches, our friends, our family. So, this is our burden. I don't want to share this. I don't want to depend on anyone but God. Yet, I am being convicted that the Lord desires our burden to be shared. We don't believe we deserve it and that there are more lessons to be learned. Yet, we have cried out to God and now follow what I taught today in class... to carry one another's burdens, means to share our burdens. Sigh.

Lord, I see myself, but it's hard for me to see what held you on the cross when you could have walked away?

The song by Michael O'Brien, What Held You On The Cross, has spoken a lot to me lately. I have been overwhelmed in my life for quite some time. Even before the accident. And now believe most of the attacks have come from my own insecurities and how Satan is continually twisting me in to believing his lies. Through this God has proven faithful, even though friends have failed, He has taken the opportunity during these trials to continue the refining process. So often it is incredibly difficult to see the difference between an absolute lie and the absolute truth about ourselves. It's hard enough for us to see it ourselves, and even harder when complicated by the opinions and perceptions of those around you which in themselves must go through the same process between falseness and real honesty.

I had two choices before me. Either just give up and begin to make everyone's perceptions true and just live up to their negative expectations and succumb to those insecurities in my life.... or.... to finally begin believing Christ died for me. That Christ loves me beyond what everyone else sees. Beyond what I see. That even in my sin. Even in my weakness. Even in my inappropriate behavior. He still loves me. He still gives me potential. He doesn't make me start over in our relationship. He doesn't assume the worst. He always has been there even when I screamed at him for leaving me alone.

It's hard for me to see that Jesus would have allowed himself to be fixed to the cross just for me. The alternative is depression and misery. So, today I choose to say that he does love me. The real me. And by God I will only live up to his expectations for me. Not mine. Nor anyone else's. If he is for me... if he died for me... if his love was so great to hold him to the cross for me... then no one else matters anymore. Only him.