July 17, 2008
Today’s Thursday Thought from:  Dr. Mary Ruth Stone

Scripture
I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread (Psalm 37:25).
 
Devotion
Full Circle
            Is anyone sure how old “old” is any more?  I am not all that anxious to claim it for myself, but, at some point, it will claim
me.  Whatever age old is, I am closer to it now than ever, and I don’t want to die without reaching it.  Having made that clear, I must add
that I have enjoyed my life to this point.  I hope I have acquired some wisdom as a result of a lot of great experiences and a lot of exciting
miles.
            My recent trip to Brazil for their biennial national convention was wonderful.  Brazil is a beautiful country with approximately
1,000 Church of God congregations.  One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the only Portuguese-speaking Bible school in the
COG.  Events surrounding that visit inspired my “full circle” state of mind.  Let me explain.
            I was a 17-year-old freshman at Lee College during the 1960-61 term.  Four young women, alumnae of Lee, came to the campus
for a chapel service before leaving to be missionaries to Brazil.  Along with Bill and Rhoda Watson, they started the Bible school in
Goiania, Brazil.  They were Ruth Crawford (later Lindsey), Janet Crosswhite, Mary Frances Poe, and Janet Carter.  Some of their early
students now hold the highest leadership positions in the Igreja de Deus no Brasil.  Those four women evangelized, discipled, and men-
tored young people who have led the church in that country for a generation.  God truly gave them fruit that has remained.  Listening to
the testimonies of current leaders regarding the missionaries’ influence, I found my mind returning to the chapel service all those years
ago, recalling the vision the young women had, and, at the same time, experiencing the fruit of their collective labor.  I was overwhelmed
with the reality of what God will do in the lives of people who give Him everything.  God promised to give the increase if we will faith-
fully plant and water.  Old or not, I have lived long enough to see a lot of things come full circle.
            Along those lines, I need to let the readers of Thursday Thought know that I have accepted a position at Lee University effective
following the upcoming General Assembly.  I will be returning to a ministry that I love and one that I left when my husband was ap-
pointed Administrative Bishop on the west coast in 1992.  Teaching is my love, my profession, and, I believe, my gift.  So I am excited
about this new opportunity.  I desire your prayers and your blessings.  My successor, whoever she may be, will be blessed to have col-
leagues such as you.
            It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the leader of the women’s ministries department of the COG 1988-90, the spring
and summer of 1992, and 2004-08.  I have ministered on every continent on earth (with the exception of Antarctica).  There are beautiful
women in each and every place!  The Church of God would not, could not exist without them.
           When I meet young, enthusiastic leaders around the world, and when I meet students in our schools and colleges around the
world, I know the ministry of the Church of God is in good hands and will be passed to good hands for every generation until Jesus
comes.  When He comes—and that can’t be far away—the church will truly have come full circle!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
 
God Bless you as you serve Him,
Lynda