Month: March 2022

The Picture Frame of Life

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 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. John 11:25 ESV

Somewhere between “I Am the Resurrection and the Life.” and “Yet shall He live” each of us must live in the picture frame of life given to us by God. Yesterday I preached at a memorial service for my friend Mary ay one of the nursing homes I visit. It reminded me that even our best plans matter far less than the people with whom we are passing through this life. While we have sorrow when a friend’s life is suddenly gone it makes us realize how just much what they did to touch our life matters. The limits of each of our years on earth give meaning to the things we choose to paint inside our frame.

Our friend Mary was quite a character and a memorable lady at Life Care Center. Almost everybody knew Mary because she talked with anyone who would listen, from the cleaning lady to the facility director and they all showed up for her memorial yesterday. What I remember most about her is how she not only participated in singing hymns, but she also wanted to give and would slip a few dollars into my hand on occasion. We remember how she wore bright red hats and gave her opinion on everything, but most important was that because Mary put her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, He became her resurrection and life. His grace painted what mattered most inside the picture frame of Mary’s life. How appropriate that after our service, we joined in the courtyard to plant a Purple Glory Tree. Now, when it flowers, we can catch a glimpse of the glory the life she is experiencing in the presence of Jesus today. Are you struggling with the limits in your life? Do you wonder what will matter at its end? Why not simply allow the hands of Jesus to take control of your life and ask Him to paint the picture that He had in mind for you? God bless and keep you always in the palm of His hand!

When Life is Shaken

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The changes in our government, our way of life and our world have threatened to shake us all to the core. In light of these events especially the news from The Ukraine I was encouraged by what Pastor Rick Warren wrote today.

Everything on earth will eventually crumble—except the church. No business, school, government, or nation will last forever. Only the church will last forever, because it is built by Jesus, and he’s focused on building his family.

Jesus says in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (NLT).

Are you feeling shaken? God has a place of refuge for you not only in Heaven but also right here on earth. That place is a family…His family , and when we need them the most we have fellow believers to pray with us, come alongside or even just listen. Have a blessed day no matter what that day is looking like in your part of this planet. Jesus’ promises will still be standing long after every evil plan on earth has fallen!

What About Lazarus?

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John 11:5 ESV – Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

Lazarus is famous for one pretty impressive thing – Jesus raised him from the dead! But while we are all familiar with the story of Martha complaining to Jesus that she was doing all the work and most know about Mary pouring perfume on the Lord’s feet, we don’t really know much about Lazarus. In the Bible we do not even hear a single word he said. When we first meet Lazarus, it is at his sister Martha’s home, not his own. Later, after his resurrection his friends hold the party at a leper’s house named Simon. We don’t know if Lazarus is married, has children or any other detail about him, except that he was sick and died. His was a life that would not have given rise to an impressive resume by anyone’s standards!

But in spite of his unimpressive life, we learn one very important thing from our silent friend Lazarus. That single truth is that we don’t need to impress others to be loved by Jesus Christ. We don’t need the best grades, a good job or a wonderful family for Him to cherish us. None of these details matters more to Him than the simple fact that He has chosen to love us as His child and that, just like Lazarus He will call us from the grave to be with Him forever!

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us – Saint Augustine