Mid-Week Message - Comfort From Psalm 116:15

"So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said.  The Lord buried him in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place."  Deuteronomy 34:5-6  (NLT)

Tuesday, November 6, 2007 is a day I will never forget.  I got a call from my mother that morning.  When I answered she said, "I can't wake your father."  I asked her if she had called for an ambulance.  She hadn't.  I instructed her to do so and headed as fast as I could to the duplex where they were living.  I arrived before EMS did and went into their living room where I found my father seated in his recliner.  I searched for a pulse.  When I did not find one, I got him onto the floor and began CPR.  When help arrived I was instructed to continue until their equipment was set up then they took over.  While they were working I began placing phone calls because I knew in my heart that my Daddy would never again open his eyes.

As the grief began to set in, I also started asking the Lord to reveal to me how He viewed the death of His earthly children.  Almost all of us have lost someone close to us.  We know the intense sadness of knowing we will not see them again during our time on this planet.  And we know that He endured watching the torturous death of His only Son.  I guess I just wanted to know that even though our lives continue as we transition to Heaven, that when a life ends on earth, it means something to Him.

Psalm 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants."  I have read this verse many times during my Christian life.  However, during my time of grief and searching, it took on new significance.  

My father loved the Lord.  During the last years of his life especially, he spent much time in prayer.  After he retired, he had little time to enjoy himself because my mother's health declined and he took on a new role as caregiver.  He did it without complaint and out of love for her but he told me once that he wished he could just get in his van and drive away.  He was tired.  He had his own health problems to deal with as well and his strength was waning.  I believe with all of my heart that he was ready to be done with this life.  I asked him once what he was looking forward to most in Heaven and his answer was, "running barefoot."  As a boy he ran everywhere he went and was usually barefoot because his family was poor.  I found it very touching that, of all the possibilities he could choose, what he really desired was being able to run barefoot once again.  

I know that as he took his last breaths that morning he was not alone.  In today's verse we learn that  it was the Father Himself that buried Moses when he passed away.  It shows great tenderness along with presence and involvement.  Does Almighty God feel anything when a death occurs?  Oh yes.  Just as He is present with us as we live, so He is present with us as we leave our earthly bodies.  I believe my father was met with heavenly rejoicing and that he was able to feel the ground beneath his bare feet as he ran into the arms of our Savior.  

We grieve over what we see as a loss.  But dear ones, those who go to be present with the Creator experience greater joy than we can even imagine.  They are not sad, nor will they ever be again.  As much as I miss my Daddy and wish that I could see him again on this side of Heaven, I would never want him to leave where he is.  How could I ever ask him to re-enter a world of pain and trouble?  But one day, after I have entered the heavenly realms for myself, I will worship at the feet of Jesus along with my beloved earthly father.  God bless you.  

Mid-Week Message - Texas Tragedy

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."  Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."  Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

There are no words that can ever express the sorrow that so many are experiencing after the devastating floods in Texas this week.  The loss of life, especially young lives, strikes the core of the human heart.  At this writing the news media is saying over one hundred loved ones are confirmed to be no longer with us and dozens are still missing.  While we pray for the miracle of finding more alive, and the Lord is absolutely able to work that miracle, our own common sense tells us that it is unlikely at this point.  

So how do we come to terms with this tragedy and how can we support those whose lives have been forever altered?  

This traumatic event will impact the survivors for the rest of their lives.  Aside from the physical needs of food, shelter and clothing, they will need loving arms to hold them and strong shoulders to cry on.  They will need to tell their stories to those willing to listen.  There is no way to answer the "whys" that will be asked but we can each be present and understanding.  

The very first thing I learned when I became a chaplain is that words are not always needed, or even wanted.  The calming presence of someone who truly cares means so much more.  Continually lifting them up in prayer and asking for God's comfort and compassion is something we can all do.  This is a road that He, and He alone, is able to guide them down.  Love them.  Help where you can with what you can then trust that our Father is ministering in holy ways that we know not of.

In the days, months and years ahead there will be much work to be done to rebuild the physical structures that have been damaged or destroyed.  Human hearts, though forever affected, will heal over time.  This is pain that never goes away.  One just learns how to live with it and continue on until life on this earth is over.  

I have shared three verses from the Scriptures today in hopes that at least one gives hope to each reader.  As my own tears fall over this event, I am reminded that no tear goes unnoticed, no heart-cry is ignored and at no time is our Creator unaware of anyone's pain.  May we all cling to Him and plead for these families before His mighty throne.  

     

 

Mid-Week Message - About Death

"The day one dies is better than the day he is born!  It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals.  For you are going to die, and it is a good thing to think about it while there is still time.  Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.  Yes, a wise man thinks much of death, while the fool thinks only of having a good time now."  Ecclesiastes 7:1b-4  (TLB)

A while ago I was reminded again of the brevity of life.  A dear sweet young friend passed away.  This was a young lady who had fought a lifetime of battles that most of us will never be able to conceive of.  Her life was filled with miracle after miracle and she was a living testament of the power and love of Almighty God.  I rejoice for her as she celebrates with Jesus though my heart is broken for her family and others close to her.  

When my father died in 2007 I thought I wasn't going to be able to go on.  He had been my greatest supporter throughout my life.  He was the one I turned to for advice and understanding.  He wasn't a perfect man, but the Lord couldn't have chosen a better man to be my dad.  I can remember every second of that day and I doubt seriously that I will ever forget.  His death deeply impacted me and changed the way I thought of life.  The person I counted on to always be there suddenly wasn't and I found myself considering the difference of how death is viewed on earth versus how it is viewed in Heaven.

When someone dear to us is no longer with us on this planet, it can be devastating.  We find ourselves clinging to their last words, their favorite material possessions, songs that remind us of them and anything else that makes us feel close to them.  The last thing we want to think about is that we won't see them again.  As we go through the stages of grief we experience denial and anger long before we reach acceptance.  We cry more tears than we thought possible and beg the Lord to explain to us why they had to go.  The pain of losing a loved one causes our hearts to physically ache and our minds to question life.  

However, what is perceived as an ending here is a homecoming in Heaven.  No longer is there any separation between our loved ones and Jesus. It is the culmination of our creation!  We see life as temporary, but our Creator made us to be eternal beings.  Life doesn't end at death.  It continues where we were meant to be all along.  In Heaven we will be free from illness, from sorrow and from danger.  Joy will rule our hearts as we witness in person the magnificence of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  We will join with the Heavenly choir in singing praises.  Any infirmities that we had before will be gone forever and we will be able to place our hand in the hand of the One who bore the penalties for our sin and made it all possible.  

Here we grieve but there they celebrate.  That is why today's verse admonishes us to ponder the end of our earthly lives.  For those that place their faith in the Lord Jesus death is simply the closing of one door and the opening of a much better one.  Life doesn't cease, it is perfected.  Our grief is for ourselves because we will miss those who go to Heaven before us.  One day, though, not too long in the future, that door will open for us as well and we will step across the Heaven's threshold and wrap our arms around our Savior.  

Mid-Week Message - Loss of a Friend

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”  John 13:34-35 (MSG)

Her name was Deborah.  I would never have met her if my mother's health had not declined to the point that she was falling regularly.  After Mom had been hospitalized for two days for"failure to thrive" which had been decided upon by the emergency room doctor, we were told by the hospitalist that they could not keep her for that reason and she would be discharged.  My father was beside himself with worry because taking her home meant more middle of the night falls and visits by the fire department and EMT's to pick her up and check her over for any injury.  So (and if you know me this won't surprise you) I refused to take her home which did not please the doctor trying to discharge her.  Because of my refusal, however, he got her into an in-patient rehab program to help her gain strength. And her roommate just happened to be Deborah.  

Deborah was a fifty something year old black Apostolic preacher.  The first time I met her she was lying in her bed watching football, which she loved, with her Bible, which she loved even more, open upon her lap.  As Dad chatted with Mom, I struck up a conversation with Deborah.  She was more than eager to tell me about her grandchildren and to produce pictures of them from her purse. Most of all though, she wanted to know if I loved the Lord.  I found out that she was in the rehab because she had a massive stroke.  One that should have killed her instantly but didn't.  She had to learn to walk again but her speech was fine and she had no paralysis.  She was a living miracle!  I can't remember all we talked about but when it was time to leave and Mom was telling us what we needed to bring her during our next visit, I asked Deborah if there was anything she needed.  She was dumbfounded that I would ask but when I assured her I was serious, she meekly asked for some socks because she couldn't get her feet warm.

In the years following our initial meeting, we stayed connected through phone calls and letters.  She loved to write and get letters!  When my Dad passed away, and then my Mom, she was heartbroken.  She loved them though she only knew them from the rehab facility and through me.  And, God bless her sweet heart, she loved me.  She also felt like I was a part of her family so she felt comfortable letting me know when she was short on money or needed Bibles for her prison ministry.  I was glad to help her out as I could.  My husband and I had our ministry at the retirement facility and the money donated to us was used to help people in need, so we helped her.  At first she only asked occasionally, but later she asked in every letter and every phone call.  

When we moved to Georgia, we no longer had our ministry, therefore we had no donations and were unable to assist Deborah financially.  I felt so awful for having to say no each time, that eventually I let her letters and calls go unanswered and, after a time, they stopped coming.  She had always said she was afraid she would run me off and though I promised her I would never let that happen, I did.  

I tell you this because one night when she was on my mind  I "googled" her.  Sadly, I found that she passed away.  She passed without me telling her how much I loved her and allowing her any other chances to love me. I let my fear of telling her I couldn't send her money take away the last times that I would have a chance to tell her how much I appreciated her.  She always said I was her angel and she was very sincere.  And she was always so grateful when we helped her.  She really had next to nothing and her health kept her isolated in her home.  

Friendships are gifts. Some last forever, some eventually dissolve because of distance or as a result of friends growing apart, some are very toxic and need to be ended, but others, like this one, end for reasons that could be alleviated with honesty and communication.  The two greatest commandments, according to Jesus, are to love God and to love each other.  We only have a limited time to love each other on this earth and we have no way of knowing when that time will end.  I know she is in Heaven now and knows the greatest love of all and one day I will get to see her again, ask her forgiveness and hug her for eternity.  

Mid-Week Message - How Are You Spending Your Dash?

 "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  Micah 6:8  (NIV)  

I take part in a number of pages on a particular social media site that are Christmas related.  With Christmas being my favorite holiday, I enjoy seeing the pictures all year round and sharing that enjoyment with others,  On one of those pages, in order to contribute, I have been researching the stories behind Christmas songs, and have found some pretty interesting facts about some of them.  

Just as every song has a story, so does every person.  We may, at times, forget that the person begging on the street, just like us, has a history that includes people that have loved them.  They had a childhood.  They went to school.  They had friendships, hopes and dreams.  There is a story behind how they ended up where they are now.  

When you look at a tombstone, generally you see at least three things.  One is the name that identifies the person buried there.  Accompanying the name are two dates.  One is the date of birth and the other is the date of death.  But in between those two dates there is usually a dash.  That dash signifies the period of time when that person was living and experiencing life.  

Here is the question of the day.  How are you spending your dash?  Hebrews 9:27 tells us that people are destined to die.  Although we are aware of that, it is so easy to assume that the day of our death is far in the future.  In truth, we have no idea how long our dash will be, and, as we grow older, our death grows nearer.  Is that scary?  It doesn't have to be.  

In John 10:9-10 Jesus tells us, "Yes, I am the gate.  Those who come in through me will be saved.  They will come and go freely and find good pastures.  The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."  

And in John 14:2-3 He says, "My Father's house has many rooms; if that we not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."  

From those two verses we gain assurance that Jesus will be with us during our lives and that we will be where He is after our earthly deaths.  As we live through the dash years, our responsibility is to seek His guidance, through the Word of God, as to how to navigate our days.  Todays verse gives us some direction.  We are to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.  

Our days upon this earth will come to an end.  But we have this day, this moment, to make the most of the life the Lord has gifted us with.  That man or woman on the street, or in line at the grocery store, or showing road rage on the highway, may not know that Jesus gave His life to atone for their sins and was resurrected to conquer death and give them eternal life in Heaven.  As believers, we have so much to share with them!  If there is an opportunity to share Christ with another person, we need to lay the fear of rejection aside and tell them.  We need to be praying for those around us and asking the Father to guide them through their dashes too.  Friend, stranger or enemy - everyone needs to hear the Gospel.  

This day is part of our dashes.  It is up to us how we spend it.  I hope we all make it count for eternity.  God bless.  

Mid-Week Message - Purpose and Pain

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."  2 Corinthians 1:3-4  (NIV)

He was diagnosed with a progressive brain disease that would end his life.  His first reaction to was to educate himself about assisted suicide because he didn't want to go through the debilitation that was sure to overtake his body.  When they found out, a group of his friends dedicated themselves to making sure he knew that he was loved and would have all the support he needed.  Because he had been a mechanic, he decided to seek donations of old children's bicycles.  He figured he still had the physical capacity to repair them.  He then began donating them to children in homeless shelters.  Now, after repairing and donating hundreds of bikes to smiling and grateful children, he understands that his remaining time is valuable.  He is still able to make a contribution to the world and he no longer fears what may come.  

When tragedy strikes, our first reaction is often to withdraw from our community of family and friends and ask, "Why me?"  Loss is painful and can be devastating.  Grief pours in and it feels as if we will be consumed, that life will never be the same.  We face the choice of giving up or going on, of allowing God to walk us through the hardship or sorrow, or of turning our back on Him because we perceive that He has left us and no longer cares.

During this past week, countless people have lost loved ones.  Their grief is raw.  Regardless of the pain they are in they are having to take care of all the things that accompany a death.  Funeral arrangements have to be made.  Paperwork has to be completed.  People have to be notified.  A lot of us have been through this and understand how tedious and difficult it can be.  The world changes forever after the loss of someone near and it is hard to comprehend how life seems to go on as normal for those around us.  

Hopefully, these precious ones have support groups around them to help them through.  But even if they do not, they are not alone.  The verse above assures us of God's compassion and comfort.  Personally, I have never felt God's presence more intensely than during my times of greatest sorrow or pain and I pray that it will be the same for them.  

None of us want to endure a death, a disease or a catastrophe of any kind.  Yet, eventually we all do.  And when we find ourselves deep in agony and cry out to our Father and feel Him near, we are also being prepared to help others who go through the same experiences.  A person who has been through the loss of a child or a spouse, for example, is uniquely able to minister to another who goes through the same loss. 

The story I told today is about a man who was able to find a purpose for his life when he thought his usefulness had ended.  Though his body shakes and he finds it difficult to walk, he can still hold a wrench and is able to mend broken bicycles that light up the lives of homeless children.  

God always has a plan and a purpose for our lives.  Even in the darkest days, He works.  We may not be aware of where the paths He lays before us will lead but if we trust Him, He will reveal it.  

As a hospice chaplain I urge families to allow themselves to grieve, however they need to and for as long as they need to.  Great grief comes from great love.  But I also counsel those that are Christians to ask the Lord to show them His purpose for allowing them to suffer through sad or difficult times.  I have never known Him to ignore this request.   Nothing is wasted by our Lord.  

May your week be blessed and may you feel His hand on your shoulder.

Mid-Week Message - Life and Death

 "The day one dies is better than the day he is born!  It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals.  For you are going to die, and it is a good thing to think about it while there is still time.  Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.  Yes, a wise man thinks much of death, while the fool thinks only of having a good time now."  Ecclesiastes 7:1b-4  (TLB)

Night before last, my little bird passed away.  I knew her time was near so I was holding her and keeping her warm, making sure she knew she was loved.  I didn't want her to die alone in her cage.  She was a little fussy and I knew that if she was in the dark she would calm down so I laid her down on my chest and covered her with a blanket, head and all.  After about thirty minutes she started trying to flap her wings.  She came out from under the blanket and I caught her in my hands and she was gone.  My husband said, "It's like she just flew away."  I was reminded once again how quickly life can be over.   

When my father died in 2007 I thought I wasn't going to be able to go on.  He had been my greatest supporter throughout my life.  He was the one I turned to for advice and understanding.  He wasn't a perfect man, but the Lord couldn't have chosen a better man to be my dad.  I can remember every second of that day and I doubt seriously that I will ever forget.  His death deeply impacted me and changed the way I thought of life.  The person I counted on to always be there suddenly wasn't and I found myself considering the difference of how death is viewed on earth versus how it is viewed in Heaven.

When someone dear to us is no longer with us on this planet, it can be devastating.  We find ourselves clinging to their last words, their favorite material possessions, songs that remind us of them and anything else that makes us feel close to them.  The last thing we want to think about is that we won't see them again.  As we go through the stages of grief we experience denial and anger long before we reach acceptance.  We cry more tears than we thought possible and beg the Lord to explain to us why they had to go.  The pain of losing a loved one causes our hearts to physically ache and our minds to question life.  

However, what is perceived as an ending here is a homecoming in Heaven.  No longer is there any separation between our loved ones and Jesus. It is the culmination of our creation!  We see life as temporary, but our Creator made us to be eternal beings.  Life doesn't end at death.  It continues where we were meant to be all along.  In Heaven we will be free from illness, from sorrow and from danger.  Joy will rule our hearts as we witness in person the magnificence of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  We will join with the Heavenly choir in singing praises.  Any infirmities that we had before will be gone forever and we will be able to place our hand in the hand of the One who bore the penalties for our sin and made it all possible.  

Here we grieve but there they celebrate.  That is why today's verse admonishes us to ponder the end of our earthly lives.  Death is simply the closing of one door and the opening of a much better one.  Life doesn't cease, it is perfected.  Our grief is for ourselves because we will miss those who go to Heaven before us.  One day, though, not too long in the future, that door will open for us as well and we will step across the Heaven's threshold and wrap our arms around our Savior.

Mid-Week Message - This Moment Matters

 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  Colossians 3:17  (NIV)

This could be the last message I ever write.  That is a thought-provoking statement.  The truth is that I have no idea whether next Wednesday will ever arrive for me.  Or even the next hour.  God might call me home or Jesus may return.  Therefore, it is incumbent upon me to make the most of this very moment.  

Christians have read in the Bible, and been taught by our spiritual teachers, that our lives, and even this world, will eventually come to an end.  We witness death each day.  All we have to do is turn on the evening news or open the newspaper to see reports of people dying.  I venture to say that almost all of us have stood at the grave of a loved one.  Today, many woke up with plans on their minds that will never come to fruition.  

My point is that the only time we can count on in life is the moment we are in right now.  Because of that, everything we say and do needs to matter.  This may be the only minute in time that we get to encourage someone.  It may be the only time someone will be able to hear the Gospel.  It may be the last chance we have to soothe an aching heart, show kindness or even to lift our Savior's name in praise while we are on this earth.  

I have been becoming more aware of how often the Lord's name is used in less than appropriate ways.  The predominance of cuss words in our society has grown exponentially.   They even come from the mouths of the very young.  Unfortunately, this type of language has become accepted worldwide and even some who avow to be Christians use them without thinking.  

I wonder.....if the epitaphs on our tombstones were the last words we uttered, what kind of an impact would they leave?   If we wish to leave a legacy of hope that points to an Almighty God who provided a way for all of our sins to be forgiven then we need to choose our words carefully.  

Today's verse tells us that whatever we say or do we should do in the name of Jesus.  This may be our last chance to do that.  So, I encourage each of us to examine our words and deeds to ensure that they are pointing others toward Him.  

May He guide and teach us through His mercy and grace.  God bless.  

Mid-Week Message - Heaven Before Us

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."  2 Corinthians 1:3-4  (NIV) 

The death of a loved one is a jolt, a searing pain that causes us to forget to breathe for a moment.  The realization that someone who has always been there, who is supposed to always be there, will not be seen on this earth again is more than our minds and hearts can fathom.  It leaves us grasping at air as we try to pull back any semblance of normal that we can.  

This past week I lost my little sister.  Despite having been through the loss of grandparents, parents and friends, I had no idea how traumatic losing a sibling could be.  From almost before I could remember there had always been the three of us - my older brother, me and my sister.  Now there are two and it is hard to make sense out of.  I just keep grasping the hand of the Lord, knowing that He understands fully.  

Each of us experiences moments of intense loss at some point in our lives.  Because of that, we are able to comfort others who go through the same, or similar, situations.  Compassion is fueled by the understanding of brokenness.  Pain is universal.  Everyone will feel it eventually.  

What has carried me through, and what I can offer to those who come after me on this path, is the promise that the hurt we feel now is temporary.  God will ease our shattered hearts while we walk upon this globe, but there will come a day when there will be no more pain, no more death, no more tears, no more fear.  

Revelation 21:4 says, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  

In my own time of grief, what has brought the most comfort is the Truth.  During our time here we will encounter heartbreak and anguish that is impossible to imagine.  But Jesus has overcome the world and if we have repented of our sins and accepted Him as our Savior, then we have Heaven before us where there will be only joy and peace.  One day, not too far away, we will be able to see Him face to face, to worship Almighty God before His throne and never again be plagued will illness, pain or death.  

May the Lord walk with you through whatever you are experiencing today and whatever comes in the days ahead.  God bless.  

Mid- Week Message - The Good News and the Bad News

 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16  (NIV)

So, do you want the good news or the bad news first?  Have you ever been asked that question?  Most of us have.  I don't know what your answer usually is but mine is always to have the bad news first so that I can end with the good news being uppermost in my mind.  And, my friend, there is some bad news for us all.  

There is a tragic situation in Afghanistan right now.  Thousands of Americans are stranded there, hoping and praying that our government will be able to bring them home before tensions get any worse.  The Christians there have been forced underground as they fear for their lives.  Some of those who have helped the United States during our twenty years there are saying they know they will be put to death if they are unable to escape.  

Here in our own country there are multiple fronts of bad news.  Murder and other violence in the cities is rising as our police departments are fighting just to be allowed to do the jobs they were hired to do.  Criminals have been set free from our jails and those arrested are often returned to the streets after only hours.  

There are mayors and governors being "recalled" as the citizenry of their states rebel against how they have governed.  In some states, homeless encampments line the streets accompanied by hygienic nightmares of defecation and needles used for injecting drugs.  

Our national elected officials seem more interested in lining their own pockets than in representing the people who elected them.  The decisions they are making are causing discord and their rhetoric is causing increasing anger and division.  

And, as if you haven't already heard, there is still a virus raging despite the preventative injections that almost half the nation doesn't trust.  As viruses do, it continues to mutate and we are being required to cover our faces when in public.  Even our young children are enduring the onus of wearing masks when they are in school.  

Add to all of this the hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and other natural disasters and we see more and more families struggling.  

And of course, diseases such as cancer and heart disease continue to take their toll.  

But, no matter how foreboding life seems at the moment, there is Good News.  This world, and all the difficulty and tragedy it holds, will not have the ultimate say.  Our Creator, before one of us came to be, had a plan in place to overcome all the hardship and sadness.  He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to live among us, take each of our sins upon Him on the cross, die a cruel death in punishment for those sins, then rise again on the third day, shattering the power of death and providing us full access to the Father.  Because of Jesus, we know that death reigns no more for those who repent and believe in Him.  

None of what we are seeing in this world is permanent.  If you have read the Bible then you know who wins the battle of good versus evil.  The enemy and his followers will be cast away, all pain shall cease.  There shall be no more wars, no violence, no addiction, no disease, no death.  We won't be sad ever again.  The tears will cease to fall from our eyes and will be replaced with joy beyond description as we live eternally in the presence of our Savior.  

Don't be fooled by what you see when you turn on the news.  This world will pass away and everything with it.  No matter how bad the news seems to be, the Good News crushes it in the end.  God bless.  

 

 

Mid-Week Message - The Dash

 "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  Micah 6:8  (NIV)  

I take part in a number of pages on a particular social media site that are Christmas related.  With Christmas being my favorite holiday, I enjoy seeing the pictures all year round and sharing that enjoyment with others,  On one of those pages, in order to contribute, I have been researching the stories behind Christmas songs, and have found some pretty interesting facts about some of them.  

Just as every song has a story, so does every person.  We may, at times, forget that the person begging on the street, just like us, has a history that includes people that have loved them.  They had a childhood.  They went to school.  They had friendships, hopes and dreams.  There is a story behind how they ended up where they are now.  

When you look at a tombstone, generally you see at least three things.  One is the name that identifies the person buried there.  Accompanying the name are two dates.  One is the date of birth and the other is the date of death.  But in between those two dates there is usually a dash.  That dash signifies the period of time when that person was living and experiencing life.  

Here is the question of the day.  How are you spending your dash?  Hebrews 9:27 tells us that people are destined to die.  Although we are aware of that, it is so easy to assume that the day of our death is far in the future.  In truth, we have no idea how long our dash will be, and, as we grow older, our death grows nearer.  Is that scary?  I doesn't have to be.  

In John 10:9-10 Jesus tells us, "Yes, I am the gate.  Those who come in through me will be saved.  They will come and go freely and find good pastures.  The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."  

And in John 14:2-3 He says, "My Father's house has many rooms; if that we not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."  

From those two verses we gain assurance that Jesus will be with us during our lives and that we will be where He is after our deaths.  As we live through the dash years, our responsibility is to seek His guidance, through the Word of God, as to how to navigate our days.  Todays verse gives us some direction.  We are to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.  

Our days upon this earth will come to an end.  But we have this day, this moment, to make the most of the life the Lord has gifted us with.  That man or woman on the street, or in line at the grocery store, or showing road rage on the highway, may not know that Jesus gave His life to atone for their sins and was resurrected to conquer death and give them eternal life in heaven.  As believers, we have so much to share with them!  If there is an opportunity to share Christ with another person, we need to lay the fear of rejection aside and tell them.  We need to be praying for those around us and asking the Father to guide them through their dashes too.  Friend, stranger or enemy - everyone needs to hear the Gospel.  

This day is part of our dashes.  It is up to us how we spend it.  I hope we all make it count for eternity.  God bless.  

Mid-Week Message - Cherish the Day

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy."  Psalm 94:19  (NIV) 

How are your days going?  Are you accomplishing what you wish to?  Are you feeling so rushed that you don't have time to appreciate the smaller things?  Are you thankful for what you are experiencing or do you wish you could either rewind or speed up the clock to get to a time that is more pleasant?  

I have a good reason for asking these questions.  According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control in 2019, approximately 2,854,838 people die per year in the United States.  That works out to over 7,800 deaths per day.  This represents hugs that were never given, birthdays that were never celebrated, holidays that weren't observed, graduates that never received a diploma, "I love you's" that were never spoken and last visits that were never made.  

Overwhelming thoughts?  Truly.  As we approach Memorial Day, my mind is on those service men and women who never returned home to their families.  They all had people they loved and that loved them.  They all had plans for when their times of service were over.  Many carried pictures of loved ones in their pockets and would pull them out to remind them of how much there was to live for.  Yet, sadly, in any military conflict or war, there are those who make the ultimate sacrifice.  

Perhaps someone in your family lost his or her life in battle.  I know I am just one person, but I would like to let you know how much I appreciate what your loved one gave to enable this country to maintain its freedom.  To say that I am grateful is far beyond an understatement.  I know that those who are left behind suffer great grief and I pray for God's consolation to be with you.  

Life is fleeting and, sadly, there are reminders of that around us everyday.  Just by turning on the evening news we are reminded of that fact.  This is why it is so important that we remember that each day we open our eyes is a new gift from the Lord.  Each breath we take should be a reminder that He has a plan for each of us.  

Psalm 118:24 tells us, "This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."  On this day, as on every other day that we are gifted with, let us rejoice and find reasons to praise.  As other people enter our lives, whether for a moment or a lifetime, let's love them with hearts that have been touched by His perfect love.  In order to make the most of the time we have on earth, we need to keep our focus on things above, even though we may be experiencing pain, heartache or troubles in this earthly realm.  

I pray that you will be enveloped in God's holy arms and that your eyes will be opened to the wonders that He has created for our enjoyment.  No matter what you are going through, please remember that He loved you enough to send His Son for you.  Life, as we know it now, is not forever.  So, while we still have time, let's focus on that which is most important and allow Him to walk us through whatever difficulties we may have.  God bless.

Mid-Week Message - Growing Older

 "O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.  Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.  Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me."  Psalm 71:17-18  (NLT) 

My greatest joy throughout my life has been my relationship with the Lord.  From the time that Betty Allen in Amarillo, Texas took me to church for the first time at the age of five or six, I have been in love with Him.  Oh how I wish I could find her and thank her.  I would do so tearfully for she gave me the greatest gift one person could give another.  

I cannot remember a time since then that I have been unaware of His presence.  This is not to say that I haven't experienced hard times because there have been many.  Nor am I implying that I have never questioned His whereabouts because I have.  However, in my heart I have always known that He was near and that He would remain so.  

Now that I am rapidly approaching my mid-sixties and seeing changes such as gray hair, wrinkles, and more difficulty getting around, I am more aware than ever that my days on earth are limited and that the time that I have to proclaim His wonders is waning.  Only He knows when my last day will be, as with us all.  But the older I get, the shorter my days are sure to be.  

This week, as I was thinking about this topic, I was moved to design my headstone so that my family will know what my wishes are.  My next activity is to write out my memorial wishes.  It struck me that I had a choice of making them about me, or making them about Him and placing the honor where it should be.  I have been to many funerals and seen them handled in different ways and I would prefer that whoever is there spends their time praising the Father than crying over me.  In truth, I will be elated in His presence and celebrating my arrival home.  

I don't know how much time any of  us has left.  Maybe I will live to see one hundred, although I don't think so.  But this I know - no matter how much longer I live, I want to spend the time telling people how deeply the Lord loves them and hoping that they make the choice to give their lives over to Him.  There is nothing that this world offers that can fill their hearts the way He can and how I would adore hearing them use each breath to praise Him. God bless.  

Mid-Week Message - Last Chances

"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?  Your life is like the morning fog - it's here a little while, then it's gone."  James 4:14  (NLT)

It was a morning like any other.  My friend, Craig, got up and got ready for work, said goodbye to his wife, and was off for another day.  His habit was to take the Park and Ride into Seattle and that is what he would have done this day as well.  

Throughout the day, Janine called him, but always got his voicemail.  It was uncharacteristic for him not to return her calls, but she figured he was having a busy day.  As time went on, she called his co-workers and asked if he was really busy.  They said he wasn't at his desk but didn't hint at anything being wrong.  When she hadn't heard from him by time for him to arrive back home, she went to the Park and Ride to meet him.  Neither he nor his car was there.  She went to the next Park and Ride and he wasn't there either.  

By this time she was worried so she stopped in at the Sheriff's office and asked if there had been any accidents that day.  And that is how she found out that he had been killed early that morning when he hit black ice, lost control of the car, and went over an embankment into some trees.  

Although I spoke on this subject recently, the need is strong on my heart to do so again.  This world is rapidly changing in ways that I never thought I would see in my lifetime.  

With the advent of the virus has come isolation to the point that we are not even allowed to visit loved ones in the hospital if they get sick.  Though some facilities are beginning to allow family members in at crucial times. some are not even allowing anyone to be by the bedsides of dying loved ones to say their goodbyes.  

Anytime someone walks out our doors, we have no way of knowing for sure that they will return.  Life can end in the blink of an eye.  I know a family that were having a gathering (pre-COVID).  The father of the family stepped out to get the luggage out of the van.  When he didn't come back in right away, others went to see if he needed help.  What they found was their dad lying in the street dead.  His heart had just stopped.  No warning signs.  Here one minute and gone the next.  

Scripture is very clear that our lives are fragile.  We were not meant to be in this world eternally.  That is why it is so very important to share the Gospel with everyone we can and to tell people what they mean to us while they are still hear to listen.  There is a finite amount of time left to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.  There will for sure come a time when it is too late.  

I remember standing by Craig's casket and talking about the memories I had of him and what he meant to me.  As I was doing so, I wished that I had told him personally, rather than telling the crowd that was there to grieve him.  But, the last chance I had to do that had come and gone without me even being aware.  

I wholeheartedly urge each of us to forego our shyness and fears and take advantage of today to express our love to our families and friends.  We also need to voice our gratitude to those who perform any service for us.  We have to start asking the Lord to help us share His story, no matter how it is received.  How will they hear if they are not told?

How many last chances have occurred in your life?  Every single time we are with someone might be the last.  Please don't take the days for granted.  Love now.  Appreciate now.  And love and appreciate enough to tell them about Jesus, while there is still time.     

Mid-Week Message - Purpose Through Pain

 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."  2 Corinthians 1:3-4  (NIV)

He was diagnosed with a progressive brain disease that would end his life.  His first reaction to was to educate himself about assisted suicide because he didn't want to go through the debilitation that was sure to overtake his body.  When they found out, a group of his friends dedicated themselves to making sure he knew that he was loved and would have all the support he needed.  Because he had been a mechanic, he decided to seek donations of old children's bicycles.  He figured he still had the physical capacity to repair them.  He then began donating them to children in homeless shelters.  Now, after repairing and donating hundreds of bikes to smiling and grateful children, he understands that his remaining time is valuable.  He is still able to make a contribution to the world and he no longer fears what may come.  

When tragedy strikes, our first reaction is often to withdraw from our community of family and friends and ask, "Why me?"  Loss is painful and can be devastating.  Grief pours in and it feels as if we will be consumed, that life will never be the same.  We face the choice of giving up or going on, of allowing God to walk us through the hardship or sorrow, or of turning our back on Him because we perceive that He has left us and no longer cares.

During this past week, three of my friends lost loved ones.  Their grief is raw.  Regardless of the pain they are in they are having to take care of all the things that accompany a death.  Funeral arrangements have to be made.  Paperwork has to be completed.  People have to be notified.  A lot of us have been through this and understand how tedious and difficult it can be.  The world changes forever after the loss of someone near and it is hard to comprehend how life seems to go on as normal for those around us.  

Hopefully, these three precious ones have support groups around them to help them through.  But even if they do not, they are not alone.  The verse above assures us of God's compassion and comfort.  Personally, I have never felt God's presence more intensely than during my times of greatest sorrow or pain and I pray that it will be the same for them.  

None of us want to endure a death, a disease or a catastrophe of any kind.  Yet, eventually we all do.  And when we find ourselves deep in agony and cry out to our Father and feel Him near, we are also being prepared to help others who go through the same experiences.  A person who has been through the loss of a child or a spouse, for example, is uniquely able to minister to another who goes through the same loss. 

The story I told today is about a man who was able to find a purpose for his life when he thought his usefulness had ended.  Though his body shakes and he finds it difficult to walk, he can still hold a wrench and is able to mend broken bicycles that light up the lives of homeless children.  

God always has a plan and a purpose for our lives.  Even in the darkest days, He works.  We may not be aware of where the paths He lays before us will lead but if we trust Him, He will reveal it.  

As a hospice chaplain I urge families to allow themselves to grieve, however they need to and for as long as they need to.  Great grief comes from great love.  But I also counsel those that are Christians to ask the Lord to show them His purpose for allowing them to suffer through sad or difficult times.  I have never known Him to ignore this request.   Nothing is wasted by our Lord.  

May your week be blessed and may you feel His hand on your shoulder.  

Mid-Week Message - Our Mortal Journey

"You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before I single day had passed."  Psalm 139:16 (NLT)

My daughter was around four years old when our neighbor passed away suddenly.  She didn't know him well but she heard her father and I talking about it.  She has always been the type of person that ponders on things.  She takes them deep into her mind and examines them from every side.  Only then will she mention anything to someone else.  Knowing this, I wasn't surprised when some time later, as I was putting her to bed one night, she began asking questions.  She first asked if animals die. Next she wanted to know if mommies and daddies die.  Then she said, "Mommy, do kids die?"  

How I wish that we could shield our children from the hard parts of life.  It broke my heart that she was so young and wondering these things.  I felt guilty for allowing her to hear our discussion.  But, it also opened the pathway for me to begin teaching her about how we were created, by Whom, and how very much He loves us.  I was able to share with her about Heaven and what a beautiful and wonderful place it will be and I watched her as she tucked those thoughts into her heart.  

When I was in college, I would occasionally travel to Oklahoma City to see my grandfather.  I thought it odd that he and other older family members talked about who had recently died.  I wondered why they would concentrate so much on that topic.  Now that I am growing older, I understand that it is a reminder that our lives are finite and that with each birthday we celebrate we grow ever closer to the time when we will close our eyes for the last time on earth and open them in the presence of our Savior.  Acknowledging the death of others is a way to prepare ourselves for our own mortality.  

It is strange to think that I have now probably lived out the majority of my life.  I haven't found any expiration dates stamped anywhere on my body so I don't know for sure.  As far as I am concerned, each and every day is a gift from my Father in Heaven and He can give me as many gifts as He desires to and I will be thankful for each one.  The verse I used today is the one He gave me when I broke my leg in 2012.  As I clung to it then, I cling to it today.  

I find it extremely comforting that all of my days were written in His book before any of them came to be.  I have often said that before He hung a single star in the sky He knew each of us intimately, loved us, and had already walked the paths that we will walk.  He has seen all of our joys and hardships and knows exactly what we will need with every step we take.  Not only that, but He is there beside us, watching over us and urging us on.  He will bring encouragers along the way to cheer for us and help us carry heavy burdens.  As promised, He will never leave us or forsake us.  And when our mortal journey comes to an end, He will be there waiting for us.  Death brings sadness here on earth for those left behind, but there is rejoicing in Heaven when we arrive in the place we were created for.  Life beside Jesus Himself.  Home for all eternity.  God bless.

Mid-Week Message - The Most Difficult Time of the Year

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow.]  Psalm 147:3  (AMP)

On December 14, 2012, a young man entered an elementary school in Connecticut and proceeded to kill twenty-six people, twenty of whom were children between the ages of six and seven.  Most of us heard the story and watched the horror unfold on television.  As we sat, shocked that this could take place at all, let alone during the Christmas season, we cried, we prayed and we thought about the parents who would go home without their children, only to see empty stockings hung by the fireplace with the names of babies they would never hold again.  

I mention this terrible incident because we are entering a time of year that is incredibly difficult for many people.  Those who have family members that will be missing from around the Thanksgiving table and Christmas tree, especially for the first time, will feel that absence intensely.  Others will find their loneliness almost unbearable as they spend the holidays alone, for whatever reason.  For some the holidays bring unpleasant memories due to family issues.  And there are many that will simply refuse to acknowledge the dates on the calendar at all.  

Each time I hear of an accident I ask the Lord for His protection to be over the person or people involved.  I pray for their lives to be spared and their bodies and spirits healed.  When I hear of a death I ask for Him to comfort the family and friends in the way that only He can and to surround them with His angels and godly followers so that every need might be met in a compassionate and immediate way.  And I remember the times that He did those things for me.  

At this time of year especially, we need to be alert and aware of those around us and to ask the Father to direct us to those that need His love.  Although He can do anything without our help, He uses people to help people.  The love that He has shown us is to be shown to others in need.  Any blessing He has provided for us is intended to be shared.  Our personal experiences with His guidance, healing, compassion and presence can be an encouragement to those who are hurting now.  Sometimes what is needed most is to know that someone cares.  A hug or a prayer can go a long way to assure those with aching hearts that they are not alone.  

When I was studying to gain my certification in hospice, the one thing that stuck in my mind the strongest was that more than anything those who were going through the process of dying or those who loved the ones who were dying, just needed to feel the presence of the chaplain involved.  It wasn't the words spoken, but the mere fact that someone was there who represented God and the hope He provides.  At such times words fall very short but love and hope are always welcome.  

As we decorate our homes and prepare for the holiday season, let's make time for those around us who may be struggling.  If it is possible, maybe set another place at the table for someone who otherwise would be alone.  Buy an extra gift to show them they are remembered and loved.  Spend time with someone who is hurting. And most of all, pray for those who are grieving and ask the Lord to wrap His holy arms around their shoulders as they walk through the days ahead.  

If you are one who is hurting right now, I want you to know that I am praying for you.  I may not know you personally but I love you still.  Most importantly though, I want you to know that you are not alone.  Your Father in Heaven loves you.  He is always there and He is fully aware of your situation.  He has promised in His Word that He will "bind up your wounds".  Whatever He has promised, He will do.  Even if you have never done so before, I urge you to reach out to Him.  He loves you more than you can ever imagine.  God bless. 
 

Mid-Week Message - Precious In the Sight of the Lord

"So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said.  The Lord buried him in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place."  Deuteronomy 34:5-6  (NLT)

Tuesday, November 6, 2007 is a day I will never forget.  I got a call from my mother that morning.  When I answered she said, "I can't wake your father."  I asked her if she had called for an ambulance.  She hadn't.  I instructed her to do so and headed as fast as I could to the duplex where they were living.  I arrived before EMS did and went into their living room where I found my father seated in his recliner.  I searched for a pulse.  When I did not find one, I got him onto the floor and began CPR.  When help arrived I was instructed to continue until their equipment was set up then they took over.  While they were working I began placing phone calls because I knew in my heart that my Daddy would never again open his eyes.

As the grief began to set in, I also started asking the Lord to reveal to me how He viewed the death of His earthly children.  Almost all of us have lost someone close to us.  We know the intense sadness of knowing we will not see them again during our time on this planet.  And we know that He endured watching the torturous death of His only Son.  I guess I just wanted to know that even though our lives continue as we transition to Heaven, that when a life ends on earth, it means something to Him.

Psalm 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants."  I have read this verse many times during my Christian life.  However, during my time of grief and searching, it took on new significance.  

My father loved the Lord.  During the last years of his life especially, he spent much time in prayer.  After he retired, he had little time to enjoy himself because my mother's health declined and he took on a new role as caregiver.  He did it without complaint and out of love for her but he told me once that he wished he could just get in his van and drive away.  He was tired.  He had his own health problems to deal with as well and his strength was waning.  I believe with all of my heart that he was ready to be done with this life.  I asked him once what he was looking forward to most in Heaven and his answer was, "running barefoot."  As a boy he ran everywhere he went and was usually barefoot because his family was poor.  I found it very touching that, of all the possibilities he could choose, what he really desired was being able to run barefoot once again.  

I know that as he took his last breaths that morning he was not alone.  In today's verse we learn that  it was the Father Himself that buried Moses when he passed away.  It shows great tenderness along with presence and involvement.  Does Almighty God feel anything when a death occurs?  Oh yes.  Just as He is present with us as we live, so He is present with us as we leave our earthly bodies.  I believe my father was met with heavenly rejoicing and that he was able to feel the ground beneath his bare feet as he ran into the arms of our Savior.  

We grieve over what we see as a loss.  But dear ones, those who go to be present with the Creator experience greater joy than we can even imagine.  They are not sad, nor will they ever be again.  As much as I miss my Daddy and wish that I could see him again on this side of Heaven, I would never want him to leave where he is.  How could I ever ask him to re-enter a world of pain and trouble?  But one day, after I have entered the heavenly realms for myself, I will worship at the feet of Jesus along with my beloved earthly father.  God bless you.  

Mid-Week Message - About Death

"The day one dies is better than the day he is born!  It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals.  For you are going to die, and it is a good thing to think about it while there is still time.  Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.  Yes, a wise man thinks much of death, while the fool thinks only of having a good time now."  Ecclesiastes 7:1b-4  (TLB)

This weekend, I was reminded again of the brevity of life.  A dear sweet young friend passed away.  This was a young lady who had fought a lifetime of battles that most of us will never be able to conceive of.  Her life was filled with miracle after miracle and she was a living testament of the power and love of Almighty God.  I rejoice for her as she celebrates with Jesus though my heart is broken for her family and others close to her.  

When my father died in 2007 I thought I wasn't going to be able to go on.  He had been my greatest supporter throughout my life.  He was the one I turned to for advice and understanding.  He wasn't a perfect man, but the Lord couldn't have chosen a better man to be my dad.  I can remember every second of that day and I doubt seriously that I will ever forget.  His death deeply impacted me and changed the way I thought of life.  The person I counted on to always be there suddenly wasn't and I found myself considering the difference of how death is viewed on earth versus how it is viewed in Heaven.

When someone dear to us is no longer with us on this planet, it can be devastating.  We find ourselves clinging to their last words, their favorite material possessions, songs that remind us of them and anything else that makes us feel close to them.  The last thing we want to think about is that we won't see them again.  As we go through the stages of grief we experience denial and anger long before we reach acceptance.  We cry more tears than we thought possible and beg the Lord to explain to us why they had to go.  The pain of losing a loved one causes our hearts to physically ache and our minds to question life.  

However, what is perceived as an ending here is a homecoming in Heaven.  No longer is there any separation between our loved ones and Jesus. It is the culmination of our creation!  We see life as temporary, but our Creator made us to be eternal beings.  Life doesn't end at death.  It continues where we were meant to be all along.  In Heaven we will be free from illness, from sorrow and from danger.  Joy will rule our hearts as we witness in person the magnificence of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  We will join with the Heavenly choir in singing praises.  Any infirmities that we had before will be gone forever and we will be able to place our hand in the hand of the One who bore the penalties for our sin and made it all possible.  

Here we grieve but there they celebrate.  That is why today's verse admonishes us to ponder the end of our earthly lives.  Death is simply the closing of one door and the opening of a much better one.  Life doesn't cease, it is perfected.  Our grief is for ourselves because we will miss those who go to Heaven before us.  One day, though, not too long in the future, that door will open for us as well and we will step across the Heaven's threshold and wrap our arms around our Savior.  

Easter Sunday - Death Has No Hold

Acts 2:24 New Living Translation (NLT)

But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.