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• W. Wayne Gardner
  President
  Toccoa Falls College

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Several years ago I took a group of boys from an Explorer Post to Philmont Scout Ranch just outside Cimarron, New Mexico.   We were ambitious back in those days and so for our ten day hike we chose the mountain climbing, five or six peaks over a 126 mile trek.  

We began the first day full of energy, excited that we were hiking at such altitude beginning around 6,500 feet and topping out at 12,400 feet on Mount Baldy.  During our third night out we had climbed one mountain and had experienced a bear in our campsite one night.  We were on trail rations and the boys were getting tired.   What seemed like fun and a great adventure was becoming a very tough experience.  We would wake up in the morning to cool and at times  cold temperatures even though we were there in July. 

About the sixth day we were camping at the base of Mt. Baldy near an altitude of 9 – 10,000 feet.  I would get them up in the morning about 4 a.m. to begin our climb to the top.  As we neared the tree line the boys began to stop and grumble.  ”We don’t want to go” was a familiar phrase coming out of their mouth.  So I made a decision.  I took my Senior Patrol Leader aside and said, I am going on ahead.  When the guys ask where I am tell them I am going to the top.  Let’s see what they do.  Will they let an old man of 28 do something they gave up on.

I began the climb.  As I was about 500 feet from the top I turned around and I saw them, every one of them, coming after me.  I kept climbing and when I reached the top my best hiker was right there with me.  We were in shorts and short sleeved t-shirts and it was snowing at the top.  We stayed for the others to arrive and then put our names on the paper, placed it in the receptacle designed for this at the summit, and began our climb back down.   We had all made it.  No one was left behind because they saw the example of their leader putting out the effort to make the climb and they followed.

I often read Philippians and when I get to Philippians 4:8 – 9 I think of this example and I think of those 10 boys who made that trek with me.  Paul says “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

May we be the leaders who provide examples of excellence so that those who come behind us will be stronger and better because of the example we leave them.  May we challenge people to greater exploits for the Lord and may we encourage those who follow to be excellent in all they do.

While in Memphis a couple of weeks ago I heard a college president talk about Revelation 21: 1 — 7.  This passage speaks about going home and heaven.  He then spoke about Max Lucado’s book, “The Applause of Heaven” and paraphrased the last two pages. 

My mind went back to a youth meeting in Ft. Collins, Colorado many years ago.  The male quartet and I had finished our meetings and had made our way to the airport.  As we boarded the plane there were many students on the plane that had been in the meeting in Fort Collins.  The applause began.   It was amazing how well the group was accepted and appreciated for the music and ministry they had experienced during the week.  I was caught up in this amazing appreciation for the group.   But you know what was even better.  It was the Atlanta Airport where my wife and children were standing there waiting for me to get off the plane and welcoming me home.  That scene had happened over and over again as I had previously traveled to many different countries in our world.  But it never seemed to be taken for granted.  It was better each time I arrived home.  I even anticipated it as the plane would fly over Memphis and then the descent would begin.  I could feel the engines cut back a bit and the nose of the plane tilt every so slightly downward.  I knew I was about 35 minutes from touching that beautiful ground I called “Georgia” and “Home”. 

One day there will be that final arrival to my eternal home and I will see those who have gone before.  In Max Lucado’s “The Applause of Heaven” he described it this way.  “I’ll be home soon.  My plane is nearing the airport.  The plane will land.  I’ll walk down the ramp and hear my name and see their faces.  I’ll be home soon.”  “You’ll be home soon, too.  You may not have noticed it, but you are closer to home than ever before.  Each moment is a step taken.  Each breath is a paged turned.  Each day is a mile marked.  You are closer to home than you’ve ever been.”

He continues, “Before you know it, your appointed arrival time will come; you’ll descend the ramp and enter the City.”    “You’ll see faces that are waiting for you.  You’ll hear your name spoken by those who love you.  And, maybe, just maybe–in the back, behind the crowds–the One who would rather die than live without you will remove His pierced hands from His heavenly robe and….applaud.”

What a wonderful thought as we grow older and as we read about that wonderful City called Heaven.   That makes reading Revelation 21:1 – 7 even more glorious.

Today begins Homecoming 2009 at Toccoa Falls College.  This year we have much for which to thank the Lord.  New buildings for Gate Cottage and Counseling/Psychology are underway.  We will break ground for these two as well as dedicate the Outdoor Environmental Education Center.  The Lord has been good and we praise Him for all that He has done. 

Homecoming is a time for alumni to return to campus, greet old friends and remember the past.  TFC is a “timeless” place as alums remember the people who made a difference in their lives.  After all it is the people of TFC who make an impact on their world for Jesus.  Each alum has a story.   Each alum remembers a person who so impacted them that they were changed for the better to do the work of the Lord literally around the world. 

Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Stand in the way and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it and you shall find rest for your souls.”  Many of us found the “old paths” here and as we return we praise the Lord for His direction and guidance through those who have gone before us. 

We also find in Proverbs 22:28 “Do not move the ancient boundary which your fathers have set.”  We, as alums of TFC, lived by those regulations and we are better for it today.  May the Lord bless each alum as we remember those who impacted our lives and caused each of us to impact our world for Jesus.

John 1:14 states “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His Glory, Glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  The song often goes through my head, “We have seen God’s Glory” and we know that today God’s Glory is Jesus Christ.  He is our focus, He is our refuge, and He is our strength.  As we see Him we see the Glory of the Father.  But I believe we must desire to worship Jesus.

In the case of Mary and Martha, Mary desired to see and focus on Jesus and to have Him control her life because nothing in this world could satisfy.  But Martha was hard at work preparing dinner.  Jesus did not say to her “don’t do that”.  He understood her desire to prepare a wonderful dinner for those present.  But, like many of us, Martha was distracted by her circumstances that she could not grasp the important of being with Jesus.  Her work and service were very important but paled in comparison to being with Jesus. 

May our desire each day be that we want to be with Jesus and focus on Him and follow Him in all our ways.  May we desire to see the Glory of God, His Son Jesus each day we live and not be sidetracked with the trivial things of this world.

Recently I was asked by a student at graduation if I would attend his ordination service the next day in another town.  I thought about the pressure of the weekend and wanted to just stay at home but I agreed to attend.  When my wife and I walked in the church we were escorted to the front and when it came time for the ordination service I was asked to pray the prayer of ordination.  What an opportunity to impact this life. 

After my wife and I returned home I received a picture and a hand written note that went like this; “The church body was moved by your attendance and interaction.  My parents were touched that you guys came out to support a student.  It meant a lot to them and it meant the world to me.”

Can you imagine the blessing that this message had for me and my wife?  If we had not gone we would have missed this wonderful opportunity to impact people that we didn’t even know.  I will always try to take every opportunity to impact the lives of people no matter how tired I might be.  The Lord is good all the time and uses His children to bless others.

This week I attended a conference where Crawford Loritts was the speaker.  He spoke of the deep joy that is below the surface.  He stated that ” joy has to do with relationship not circumstances.  Joy is resilient happiness, Joy is confidence, Joy is Jesus living in our hearts and lives.”

Crawford used the Matthew 5 passage as well as the James 1:2 – 4 passage.  When we live with Jesus in our hearts we have His Joy and we can live through negative circumstances to find our lives become perfected and  complete.  “Look through your condition to the purpose.  Biblical Joy is the certainty that your circumstances doesn’t determine your soul’s state.”  Crawford concluded that when joy leaves us we need to ask three questions, “What is my heart attached to”, “Where is the permanent”, and “What do I need to know and learn.”

I came away from that meeting with more joy because I realized again that Jesus is our Joy, He is the source of our Joy and He is our confidence no matter what we face on this earth.  God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

In tough situations and in times of hard choices God is good and provides the direction we need.  Hebrews 11:6 says “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  May God bless Toccoa Falls College and as we seek Him may He provide His direction and guidance.  God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

The school year at Toccoa Falls College is about to begin with classes beginning on Monday, August 24.  Our faculty and staff met last night for dinner to begin the new year.  On Saturday afternoon, August 22 and Sunday afternoon, August 23 my wife and I will host the freshman class at our home with a reception.  On Sunday evening I will receive the National Championship banner from the Toccoa Falls College Baseball Team.  I will speak to the student body on Monday, August 24 in morning chapel on concerning following Jesus.  We are trusting the Lord for a wonderful year and a good enrollment.

I recently read the book “The Servant Leader” by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges.  I would highly recommend this book to people who are interested in being a servant leader in your organization.  As the writers explain, “Leadership is an influence process.  Knowing that we can see that Jesus is our model for leadership in every phase of our lives.”

I like the comments where we are told to “develop habits of giving things away”.  The writers also tell us we can enjoy things without owning them.  And then the writers tell us to “shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the Kingdom of God.

Those ideas and many more provide good points to remember each day in our jobs.  God is honored when we “seek the kingdom” and don’t get bound by anything that would hinder us from that task.   “The Servant Leader” is a great book to help develop our ability to lead like Jesus.