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| Starting and sustaining life
| "But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children."
(1 Thessalonians 2.7) |
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Greetings!
It's Springtime in Colorado which means wet snow instead of dry snow! Actually, it's been in the 60s and 70s right through Sunday morning, April 3. The snow started around 1:30p. This picture was taken the next morning. By Tuesday it was 70 again. We never know what to expect!  | |
Snow in April!
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Spring is the time for new life, and we're pleased to announce the birth of our fifth grandchild! Sawyer Dawtrey Ewell was born to David and Courtney just after midnight Sunday morning, Atlanta time, April 3. Six pounds, 6 ounces, 20 inches. Everyone is fine.  | |
Our youngest son, David, holds his son, Sawyer, who has a full head of black hair (middle picture). The baby on the right is our David when he was born!
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This update is about starting and sustaining life, from a newborn to a veteran. Please read on. |
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Going strong at 97+
Jim Downing turns 98 in August, and he did two workshops at Dangerous Man Day in Sterling, CO. The title of one workshop was "Finishing Strong," a title Jim doesn't like since, "I'm not finished yet." He prefers, "Continuing in Ministry." Jim "retired" from The Navigators in 1983, but he still serves with the Collegiate Ministry.
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Jim Downing uses a clicker to advance his slides during his workshop.
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He told us that God wants us to Discover our unique gift, Dedicate our gift to God's service, Develop our gift, and Deploy our gift. Read more...
Jim is an inspiration and a mentor. He taught us to meditate on scripture over 40 years ago, and in recent conversations, Jim has affirmed the importance of my practice of teaching folks how to have daily time with God in His Word.
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Staying with the essentials
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I am introducing the Time with God workshop in Greeley, March 5.
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As June and I enter our "mid-60s" we are inspired by those who are still bearing fruit in old age, and we want to make a difference where we are, primarily investing in young people who will form the habits that will enable them to finish strong like Jim Downing.
Baby Sawyer reminds me that we all should "...as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow." (1 Peter 2.2, NKJV). I taught Making Time with God a Priority to over 60 men at Dangerous Man men's conferences in Greeley, Colorado Springs, and Sterling. Daily time with God is foundational for following God and finishing strong. Please pray for the men to carve out the time to spend with God and help others do the same.
Another "essential" is scripture memory: I always include a link to the current One-to-One Magazine from The Navigators in the left margin. Don't miss the April issue featuring Gary Smalley telling how he experienced the benefits of passionate scripture memory. "It's about getting the Word of Christ into your heart. It's about bringing emotion and passion to bear on it." Read more...
Ways of the Alongsider is helping people grasp the vision that they can come alongside others to help them in their spiritual journeys. An all-day Alongsider Clinic at Calvary Chapel South Denver, February 26, jump-started 15 people into this exciting venture! In addition, I'm enjoying using Alongsider as I spend time with two groups of church leaders who are catching the vision for their churches.
 | | One group of Ways of the Alongsider Clinic participants wrestle with their definition of a disciple. |
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Making a difference
It's nice when one's work is recognized by others as making a difference. If you saw the March letter from Doug Nuenke, US President, The Navigators, you may have read these kind words about our ministry:
Navigators want to help people seek God and find strength in Him in all of life's situations. Bob and June Ewell serve with our Church Discipleship Ministry, partnering with church leaders to develop generations of disciples. Recently, Bob and June partnered with the pastor of a church in Plymouth, New Hampshire, to put on a conference for the congregation. One of the things the conference attendees learned was to dig into the Bible for themselves. The Ewells and the pastor of this church understand how important it is to know how to seek God and they are equipping the congregation to do so.
In addition, a pastor wrote to say that implementing small groups meeting in homes at my suggestion and encouragement was partially responsible for seeing several people come to Christ and follow Him more closely.
Please pray with us for:
- The ongoing Ways of the Alongsider training at two churches. Pray that the training would be effective and result in the participants' becoming "...the foundation of many generations." (Isaiah 58.12)
- The small group June met with when she was a facilitator at a weekend women's retreat. Pray that they will follow-through on the commitments they made to follow God and reach out to others.
- June's mother in Greenville, SC, who is recovering from a broken hip.
- Upcoming new opportunities at churches in Monument, CO, and Parker, CO. (Details later!)
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We appreciate your interest in and prayer for our ministry, and we always count it a privilege to pray for you as well. Please don't hesitate to contact us at bob@ewell.com or june@ewell.com.
God bless and stay strong,
strong,
Bob and June
Join us in spreading the good news! Together, let's get the word out! (Psalm 40.5)
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Impromptu Piano Praise, my piano CD containing 26 traditional hymns on 20 tracks, is available for purchase! You and your friends can go to www.bobplayspiano.com. The CD is only $12.00, including shipping, or less if you download it from Amazon or iTunes. Also, those of you in Montgomery, AL, can buy the CD at the Frazer bookstore.
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