ZPCBlog

About the author: Jenny Isenbarger served ZPC as an Elder, Great Banquet attendee, Awakening team member, and enjoys her Home Group of wonderful ZPC women. Jenny also served as a Bible Study Fellowship leader for eight years and mentored two small groups of teenage girls. Jenny works as an account executive for WHMB TV-40, the longest running Christian television station in the country. As a non-profit television station founded by missionary, Dr. Lester Sumrall, WHMB TV- 40 works to further two ministries; Feed the Hungry, established in 1987 (feeds 300,000 poor and hurting children daily in 92 countries) and the Spread the Word campaign with the goal of giving a bible to anyone who requests one.

Jenny’s been married to Phil for 37 years and they have three children: Matt (Sarah) (Moorpark, CA), Jack (Ashleigh) (Perth, Australia), and daughter Katie who is a junior at Western Kentucky University where she plays volleyball and high jumps for the Hilltoppers. Phil and Jenny are expecting their first grandchild any minute! 

This week's scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10

For 22 years I have been meeting six Zionsville girlfriends and sisters in Christ for a one hour prayer run on Monday morning at 5:30 am. We start our run in the dark each Monday and look like a group of well-lit Christmas trees running down the street with flashers blinking. You can’t miss us! We refer to ourselves as the “Six Pack” which has nothing to do with the condition of our abs or beer. I met Cathy Dwyer while we were collecting our first grade Butler basketball campers and I was pushing our newborn Katie in a stroller. Cathy introduced herself as new to Zionsville and said that she was looking for some running buddies. Cathy asked about where I attended church. I realized we had a lot in common as we connected quickly and so began the first two of our blessed “Six Pack."

We are always delighted with God’s faithfulness. It could be raining cats and dogs or snowing with gale force winds at 5:20 am, but at 5:30 am the winds, rain and snow calm and we are able to do our beloved prayer run in comfort. We look forward to starting each week with close friends and no distractions from a cell phone. The intimacy of sharing your life with friends and family is special but pales to the intimacy we can share with Jesus when we honestly tell him what we are thinking and feeling. It opens a dialogue with Christ. And why not tell him? He knows anyway.

We pray for our families, our neighbors, our schools, our churches, and our country. We raise our praises and concerns to our Almighty God and marvel that a Holy God would join six everyday Moms and run beside us every Monday morning. We feel peace in his presence. ”For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20. We have been in awe of God’s many miracles; the Great Healer who has touched the sick and healed them, the Counselor who has saved marriages, the Good Shepherd who found a child going down the wrong path and brought him back to the fold, the Prince of Peace who renews broken family ties, our Comforter who wraps his arms around us when we lose those we love and our Abba Father who yokes our children to Christian spouses. 

The “Six Pack” celebrates birthdays, weddings, graduations, and births with gusto. We have mourned the loss of grandparents and parents–most recently my father’s peaceful passing in February. My hometown pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Anderson met with my sister and me about the funeral arrangements. Our pastor knows our family well. Our mother is still living in Anderson with dementia but has maintained her sweet, grateful disposition and, most importantly, her love for Jesus. She is  a former music teacher, served as Deacon, and was a longtime alto soloist. Our Dad, an engineer at Delco Remy had retired early and began his second career as a professional volunteer. Dad tutored men recently released from prison so they could get their GED and a steady job. He prepared taxes for those who could not do it on their own and gave them peace of mind. Dad served seven terms as an Elder and when he passed away at 90, he had just completed the church’s monthly financial report. Our pastor felt the loss as well as we reminisced about Dad, but he brightened and said, “Your Father has seen the face of God.” I felt a sense of awe and peace.

When I read Isaiah 11:1-10 and meditate on Jesus’ promise of a Second Coming, I think about what our pastor had said. My father has now seen the face of God. There will be a golden age and time of peace when the wolf will live with the lamb and a child can play safely with a snake. I picture my father in heavenly peace and tranquility.   

Much like our Monday morning prayer run that begins in the dark but is transformed by a beautiful sunrise, God will bring about the promise of a new day and more conversations with him. 

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