Arrival in Heaven

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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.                   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks put the circumstances of our lives, both good and bad into God’s hands and help us see them through His eyes. Last night our beloved daughter-in-law Melinda slipped from this world into the presence of Jesus. And while we are overwhelmed with grief and shock, these words are promises to which we cling. Melinda has finished her race. Her battle with cancer is finished. And while that pernicious disease claimed her physical life, it could not touch her soul. That remained fully and exclusively in the hands of Jesus with whom she now lives. Nancy and I didn’t know how to process the news that came in three words. “She is gone.” Yet as sadness rolls over my heart I sense the message echo back from Heaven, ” She has arrived!”

Changes

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Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. Psalm 119:89-90 ESV

If you live in the Northern States you are probably beginning to see the leaves changing their Summer clothes for colorful Fall outfits. While apple cider and pumpkins fill the market shelves, our celebration of the new season is mixed with the melancholy knowledge that Winter is not far away. In our lives it is the same. We eagerly anticipate changes like weddings or the birth of our child; but when that child graduates and sets off on their own, our happiness mixes with tears.

It was no different for Jesus as He lived on earth. The joys and gifts of the Christmas story were quickly followed by Joseph and Mary’s flight to Egypt. His healing of the sick was followed by Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial. But as Jesus hung on the cross and the most difficult hour of change was upon Him, He held onto words that never change. “I thirst;” “Why have you forsaken me?”  and “It is finished.” were all quotes from the Old Testament. Jesus was trusting in God’s unchanging Word, because He knew that in Heaven His Father’s promises would carry Him through death and the grave, to resurrection morning. Unlike Autumn leaves, God’s word never lets us go, but stays attached to the heart of the Father forever. If people or things you once counted on are rapidly changing, hold onto the faithful promises of God. He holds you in the palm of His hand and has promised in both life and death that He will never let you go!

How do we choose at the crossroads?

How Was Your Day?

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“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” John 6:9 NIV

Sometimes I try to imagine about that day for the young boy. Now I’ve always thought this young fellow was very likely the disciple Mark, so let’s peek in on how his day went. Maybe that morning, he went to his parents asking, “Can I go up to the hillside to listen to Jesus? I’m all caught up with my chores.”

His Dad, who was busy getting ready to head out to work, said, ” It’s all right by me. Go ask your mother.”

Mom, overhearing the conversation sighs, puts her hands on her hips and smiles. “Okay, but no foolishness. Stay with the boys next door, and, don’t forget to take something for lunch. These 5 little loaves and two salted fish should give you enough to share with your friends.”

Now we all know how things happened, but his parents, did not. So, late that evening as Mark walked in the door, the first question they asked was, “So how did your day go? Who did you share your lunch with?”

With the biggest smile of  his life Mark answers with a shout, ” You’re not going to believe it! I could write a book about it!”

Message in a Sundial

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You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV

“Every joy or trial, falleth from above: Traced upon our dial, by the sun of love.” When I sing those lines from, Like a River Glorious, I often picture the old sundial that sat at the end of my Great-grandmother’s garden. I remember that garden distinctly because I spent so many hours weeding it! My great-grandmother is now no longer here to see her garden, but the lessons about how the sundial tells time remind me of this hymn. The shadows of the trials as well as the joys that ebb and flow each day, tell the story of the time we are at in our lives. As believers in our Lord Jesus, we know that we belong to Him, we are bought with a price, and nothing touches our lives that He has not allowed. Though some days are bitter, and filled with trials, Jesus leads us through and the shadow that they cast on our hearts, tell us also that the sun of His love is shining. He is still in control, no matter what is happening. He knows the depth of our difficulties as well as the height of our joys. Do not despair, because at the end of the day, we can find as He promised, His perfect peace and rest!