Earl Degrafft
One of the amazing and greatest blessings of living across the street from Downey First Baptist was the family that moved into the house in front of ours. Earl and Connie Degrafft, who went to church with us, who were almost empty nesters (Susan was in high school, but the older 4 were grown), who…
DFB is 150
Downey First Baptist is 150 years old. Today was a celebration. Dennie led the challenge from Philippians 3 to forget what lies behind and press on to the goal to win the prize. There were many friends, former staff members and memories to share. It was fun to stop and remember the importance and the…
Emily at 26
26 years old is an age that seems different than 25. I am not sure why. You have been married for 3 1/2 years and you are making your way in the world. I guess for me, when I turned 26, even though I had been an adult for 7 years, 25 feels young, but…
38th Anniversary
Thank You God for Immeasurable Happy memories and Ripples from Thirty Years of ministry & marriage. Everyday Imagining and Gratefully Hoping for Heaven I am Tuned to Sing your Praise Aug. 23, 1980 I married Jim Mohler at Downey First Baptist Church at 4 in the afternoon. I can remember many details clearly! It was…
The Fairy Tale called Marriage
This is part of the devotional I shared at Lacey’s Bridal shower on Aug. 19 There seem to be 2 kinds of people in the world – people who love fairy tales and who love happy endings and people who can’t stand them! The people in the latter group feel that fairy tales are fake…
Women’s Summer Study Panel 6/13/18
Nearly 40 years ago, when I was a student at Biola and met my future life partner I anticipated many things, but no matter what one anticipates the future is never certain. Who would ever have anticipated where God would lead us? Or how many kids we would minister to or raise? Who could anticipate…
Sopps 6.3.18
Skyler and Lauren, because I don’t speak “electrical engineer”, this analogy is based on the universal language of music! In the Magician’s Nephew, CS Lewis writes about the creation of Narnia. When the characters find themselves in the land of Narnia they actually stumble into the creation of the world itself. When they enter there…
Clayton – My Son the College Graduate!
Dear Clayton, I have written many letters about what I hope for you, advice I want to share, and prayers I pray for you. In a way, this is no different, but I do want to acknowledge my specific sentiments for you on the occasion of your graduation from college! (And, I am sure it…
Hougham the Bear
Happy Anniversary! #3 When Emily was little she had a very strong attachment to a teddy bear named Hougham. It was a gift given at a baby shower, along with countless other items she could have latched onto. We cannot say why she chose what she chose but when she was old enough to express…
Earl & Connie Degrafft 70 Years!
When I first met the Degraffts I was a newlywed, or about to be. It was a serendipitous moment when the church (DFB) bought the “promised land” and we became neighbors. God always knows what we need and he met that need beyond anything I could imagine in Earl and Connie. (and that is a…