Strength through Quietness

 December 2, 1998 

Notes from a study of Andrew Murray’s book “Abide in Christ”  Day 18

*Note: this journal entry doesn’t distinguish between Mom’s thoughts and direct quotes from Andrew Murray

Isaiah 30:15 (Amplified)  In returning to Me and resting in Me you shall be saved; in quietness and in trusting confidence shall be your strength.

 Psalm 37:7  Be silent to the Lord and wait patiently for Him

 Psalm 62:1  For God alone my soul waits in silence

 Lord, what I hear You saying to me through these verses is:

·        When we are resting we are not doing anything, physically or mentally. Our bodies and minds are quiet (and our mouths).   Our strength comes through the quiet resting

·        When we allow You to get us quiet, then we also need to wait patiently before You in silence so that we may accurately hear You.

·        The quietness and ceasing from all effort is the secret of the highest activity of man and all his powers.  This is not a partnership where each partner contributes their share of work.  It is cooperation founded on subordination.

As Jesus was fully dependent on the father for all His words, and works, so the believer can do nothing of himself.  We must cease entirely from self-effort (our own doing) and wait for the working of God in us.   God then renews, sanctifies, and wakens all our energies to their highest power.

It is a soul silent unto God that is the best preparation for knowing Jesus and holding fast the blessings he bestows.  God’s work is hindered by our interference. 

Cultivate the quietness as a means to the abiding in Christ; expect the ever deepening quietness and cam of heaving in the soul as the fruit of abiding in Him.

                                                                           Andrew Murray

 

Righteousness – Isaiah 32: 1, 17

 Journal date November 18, 1998

 

Notes from a study of Andrew Murray’s book “Abide in Christ”  Day 8

*Note: this journal entry doesn’t distinguish between Mom’s thoughts and direct quotes from Andrew Murray

 

Jesus Christ came to restore peace on earth by restoring righteousness.

 

Isaiah 32: 1, 17 (Amplified)

v1   Behold a king will reign in righteousness

v17   And the effect of righteousness will be peace (internal and external) and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever

 

WOW!   

 

We do not put on Christ’s robe of righteousness, but we should think of putting on Jesus Christ and seeking to be wrapped up in Him and His life.  As our fellowship with Christ becomes more personal and intimate and maintained, the growing renewal of our whole being makes righteousness to be our very nature

Wisdom - Colossians 2:3

 

Journal date November 16, 1998

 

Notes from a study of Andrew Murray’s book “Abide in Christ”  Day 7

 

Andrew Murray:

Jesus Christ is not only Priest to purchase, and King to secure, but also Prophet to reveal to us the salvation which God has prepared for those who love Him. Christ is made of God unto us wisdom!  In Him are hid all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3)

 

Study much to know the written Word, but study more to know the Living Word.  Cultivate the habit of rejoicing in the assurance that divine wisdom is guiding you, even where you do not yet see the way.  If you will but trust Him fully, and abide in Him entirely, you can be confident of having unerring guidance

I am His and He is Mine

 Journal date November 15, 1998

Notes from a study of Andrew Murray’s book “Abide in Christ”  Day 6

 

I Cor 1:30 (KJV)  Of God are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, both righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.

I must remember daily, and be assured by faith, that I am in Christ Jesus.  This is not of my doing at all, but the work of the Almighty God.

 

Andrew Murray:

“If God alone has done this, that I am Christ, then God himself, the Infinite one, becomes my security for all I can need or wish, seeking to abide in Christ.

 

God does His work by moving into our work – His work is hidden and silent.

 

Conversion and faith, prayer and obedience, are conscious acts of which we can give a clear account, while spiritual quickening and strengthening that comes from above are secret and beyond the reach of human sight. 

 

From eternity, Christ and I were ordained for each other; inseparably we belong to each other; it is God’s will; I shall abide in Christ.  It is of God, I am in Christ Jesus

Jesus speaking to me Colossians 2:6-7

 

Journal date:  November 11, 1998
Notes from a study of Andrew Murray’s book “Abide in Christ”  Day 5
 
Colossians 2:6-7   (paraphrase, personalization and application)
 
6.  Jean, remember back to the day you invited Me to be your Savior.   How did you do that?  It was simply by believing My Word – that I am who I say I am – “Christ, the Messiah."  Believing that you are a sinner in need of salvation.  In one word – FAITH!  You became a child of God by faith.
 
Now the only way you can live the Christian life is by faith! 
a)    You are saved by faith
b)    You will walk by faith
 
I will enable and empower you to conduct yourself and regulate your life in unity and conformity to Me.
 
7.  Each time you trust Me in a new area or situation, your roots become more firmly planted in Me.  I continually build you up, always confirming and establishing you in  your faith and trust in Me. 
 
Keep doing as I have taught you and you will abound and overflow in thanksgiving.  I am at work in you, Jean, just keep allowing Me freedom to do My work.  That is all you need to do.  Believe!

Mom's Memorial - Jeannie Pankey

Leslie Jean Lombard Pankey – 

Jean Pankey was born to Leslie Walter Lombard and Barbara Roy Lombard in Cripple Creek, Colorado on July 4, 1933, where her father was working in the mines.  At an early age they moved to Eaton, her mother’s hometown.   At the age of 3, after attending a birthday party, she became ill and,

after the ordeal of finding a hospital who would take her, she was admitted to a Denver hospital and diagnosed with polio.  She was in and out of hospitals for lengthy stays for much of her early childhood and the disease left her with one leg being 3 inches shorter than the other. 

 

This obvious mark of an insidious disease slowed her down but didn’t stop her.  She was working at a movie theater in Eaton when she met her future husband.  They married immediately following her graduation from Eaton High School in June 1951 and moved to Greeley.  During their marriage they lived in Greeley, Boulder, California (briefly), and back to Greeley in 1962 where they bought a 100 year old house on 3 acres on the north end of Greeley.   Over the next 47 years they raised two daughters, and tended numerous dogs, cats, horses, cows, ducks, turkeys, all of whom were named “Pedro.” 

 

In the 1960-70s she was actively involved at Greeley First Evangelical Free Church (now Christ Community) and the Greeley Christian Women’s Club leading Friendship Bible Studies.  Later, she was an active member of the Greeley Wesleyan Church now known as Generations Church.  In the early 1970s she began praying weekly with two women.   Other women joined them through the years and they prayed together weekly for nearly 40 years.  Jean joined a small group of women in founding the Greeley Women’s Ministry Center where she was active on the steering committee, and led Bible studies and journaling classes over the years. The WMC and the friendships she formed were her lifelines and she practically lived at the Center.  But, she was a lifeline to others as well.  She was known as a woman of prayer and often she would receive a call from someone she didn’t even know asking her to pray for them.

 

Also, in 1977, Jean started journaling, a practice that continued through 2014.  She kept two journals simultaneously.  One was her version of a diary.  The other was a documentation of what God was teaching her or personalized paraphrases of scripture.   There are 92  journals in total.  Often Jean would write personalized paraphrased scripture as an encouragement for others going through trials.  She would keep one copy in her journal and give the other to the person.  Two entire journals documented her study on the names of God.

 

Jean loved dance, but could not dance herself due to the effects of polio.  She loved watching anyone dance and remarked to her Journaling class at the WMC that one day she would dance with Jesus, a comment she made often.  She also wrote about it in her journal entitled “My Year To Dance” where she focused on the how her relationship with God was akin to a dance.   

 

Here’s an excerpt from Mom’s Journal, February 2, 2005
“I just finished reading Ken Gire’s book The Divine Embrace.  In it he pictures our relationship with You, Jesus, as the dance - one that is a close and intimate. I am glad now that I have never experienced a close romantic dance with anyone, even my husband. I am saving my first dance for Jesus. Even now I experience it in my heart. Thank You, JESUS.

“Jesus holds me close, looks into my eyes and reads my heart. He whispers how He loves me. He makes the dance of life a joy. He takes the lead and enables me to follow.  Even in the difficult demanding steps, He is there with His powerful arms around me. He doesn’t mind when I step on his toes and even when I stumble and fall, He is quick to pick me up, brush me off and get me right back into the rhythm of His grace. There is freedom in dancing with Him, there is excitement as He is so spontaneous. I may not know the new steps or the direction, but I can trust him to guide me on one step at a time.  He calms my fears and encourages me to relax and enjoy the music of the dance, but mostly He wants me to treasure him for who He is. He is Lord of the Dance and He has chosen me to be his partner, because He loves me!

 

Although Roy and Jean lived on their three acres on “C” Street for 47 years, she was not attached to the house, or to any material things.  Two things that Jean should be remembered for are praying and giving.    She learned to tithe from Roy early in her Christian life and was faithful to always give to God first - a lesson she passed on to both daughters.  Even in death, she prescribed that 10% of her estate be given as a final tithe. 

 

Although the effects of Post Polio Syndrome left her with a weak body and genetics robbed her of her memory she remained a sweet spirit, a gift to those who cared for her.  She is dancing with Jesus and singing the love song that He wrote just for her. 

 

She died on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the age of 88.  Jean was preceded in death by her husband and her younger sister.    She is survived by her two daughters, son-in-law, two grand children and a grandson-in-law.

 

Much of this eulogy are facts about Mom, however we'd like to take a quick minute to share memories of her personality.  As a family we’ve collected a few rememberences to share about who she was.

• She wasn’t a good cook, and never claimed to be.  Rather, she said, she assembled food!
• Having a 4^th of July birthday, she loved marching bands, parades, and fireworks.  She thought of them all public celebrations for her birthday. 
• She loved crafting and belonged to the “Craft of the Month” club for years.  She also hooked rugs, did needlepoint, and knitted afghans, dresses, and sweaters.
•  She loved birds and kept a pair of binoculars at home and in her car to get up close and personal with passing hawks, owls, blue jays, etc.
•  She loved baseball and made it a point to take her grandkids to the very first Rockies season opening game. She would faithfully watch baseball games on TV and, simultaneously, listen to the radio because she didn’t like the TV commentary. 
• She embraced technology and bought a computer when it became economically viable.  She bought a greeting card program and made 100s of personalized cards for friends and family. 
• She loved music – especially movie and theater musicals.  Because she couldn’t dance, she took particular joy in movies with Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire.  She  knew, and sang along with, every line in movies like Camelot, Singin’ in the Rain, White Christmas, and more. She passed this on to her daughters.  She listened to records and the radio continually, sang in the church choir, and whistled all…the…time.

·         Finally, although she was a sweet, agreeable woman, she could be a woman of determination.   Two examples: 

o   First, she loved to travel and wanted to visit her pen-pal of 40 years in England.  She saved nickels and dimes and announced to Dad that she was going to England and he could come if he wanted to, but she was going.  He went.

o   Secondly, one month after Dad died she decided to move off the homestead and marched into Fox Run apartments and announced that she wanted a 1 bedroom apartment on the 2^nd floor near the elevator on the east side.  She made the move, never looked back, enjoying every minute.  

Below is the video we created to help tell her story.  

My Prayer – Psalm 65

 

November 4, 1998

My Prayer – Psalm 65

Notes from a study of Andrew Murray’s book “Abide in Christ.”

 

Psalm 65:1-13 (paraphrase, personalization and application)

1.  Lord I know that I do not stand in silent submissive wonder in true reverence before you often enough.  I am always coming with my needs and my wants, desiring that You make my life easier and more comfortable.  How selfish can I be?  I am here now because I am hurting inside - not knowing what to do or not to do.  Turn my thoughts away from myself.  Cause my spirit to burst forth in praise to You.

 

2.  O that all people would come to you in prayer.  For you do hear every cry, whether it be audible or just a moan in our spirits.

 

3.  You are the ultimate of compassion.  When we go our own ways, not thinking before we speak or act, You forgive and cleanse us.  Thank you.  Jesus has made full atonement for all our sin – past, present, and future.  Praise God

 

4.  I choose to come near to dwell in Your presence.  I know you will satisfy my heart, fill me with Your goodness.  Enable me to focus on You and not my puny problems

 

5.  Your words and actions are fearful and terrify those who do not know You.  But because we know each other You cause my heart to sing Your praises.  You fill me with gladness.  You are my hope and confidence.  In You I choose to trust.

 

6.  Surely You, who made the mountains, can handle things here for me.  You stilled the stormy sea with your voice.  Now still the storm within me today.

 

7-8. I know You do not want Your beloved ones to live in fear of Your power.  Your presence makes the morning and evenings shout for joy.  Hallelujah!  Amen!

 

9.  You saturate the earth to enrich it.  You are the river of Life – living water for our spirits, the Bread of Life for our sustenance. 

 

10.  You carefully tend the fields that we may have food for our bodies, but even more important is the provision for our spirits.

 

11.  You have crowned my years with Your bounty; with physical and spiritual goodness

 

12.  My pastures are luxuriant, dripping with moisture and filled with joy.

 

13.  May I shout for joy at Your faithfulness to this lowly servant.  May we sing together with love for one another.