Saturday, November 7, 2009
Saturday Parent Visit.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Recent Funerals
When I put on my jacket and tie yesterday, I reached into the inside pocket of the jacket and pulled out a couple of obituaries, the kind you get at a funeral. They seem to end up staying in my jacket pocket. They were a reminder of the harsh month and year that we have had in Siloam Springs.
Sadly, we have been to 4 funerals in the last month in our town. In the last few weeks, there have been two student deaths and two deaths of people that were long time cornerstones of faith in our town, including Bob, our good friend and supporter of FCA. There have been 4 student deaths in our high school in the last 18 months There are two young people in our church that we have lost in the last year. Of course, we have lost other loved ones in our church this past year, but the past month has especially been difficult.
Vicki and I have been drawn to pray often for these families this week, especially the ones that have lost children. This has dominated our thoughts. We have had many talks about these times and we have been burdened for these families. We have prayed for supernatural grace and comfort from the Lord to be given to these families.
This past month I have also painfully thought of these words from Ecclesiastes.
Ecclesiastes 7: 2-42It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
3Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Those scriptures are hard because funerals are so difficult. Selfishly, I don't want to face them directly for myself or our family. However, we go to support and love on families and to remember those we knew and loved. We grieve heavily with those that have such giant loss even as we rejoice for those that know the Lord. We also face hard lessons as we examine our own lives and measure our own time, spiritual direction and priorities. However, our pastor Jim reminded us that we mourn and hurt for those left behind because of their pain and because we love them, but we don't have to mourn for those that are now with Jesus.
Yesterday, we were again reminded and taught about the Hope that we have in Jesus and how he brings and gives life. This world is plagued by sin, but the reality of the resurrection of Christ and belief in Christ gives us an eternal future.
At each of the four funerals this month, the pastors have led us to see Christ. Yesterday, a student that spoke also reminded us about the truth of Psalms 34:18.
Psalm 34:18
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Our hearts are broken and today my jacket pocket feels way too full.
Lord, help us and help these families.
2It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
3Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Those scriptures are hard because funerals are so difficult. Selfishly, I don't want to face them directly for myself or our family. However, we go to support and love on families and to remember those we knew and loved. We grieve heavily with those that have such giant loss even as we rejoice for those that know the Lord. We also face hard lessons as we examine our own lives and measure our own time, spiritual direction and priorities. However, our pastor Jim reminded us that we mourn and hurt for those left behind because of their pain and because we love them, but we don't have to mourn for those that are now with Jesus.
Yesterday, we were again reminded and taught about the Hope that we have in Jesus and how he brings and gives life. This world is plagued by sin, but the reality of the resurrection of Christ and belief in Christ gives us an eternal future.
At each of the four funerals this month, the pastors have led us to see Christ. Yesterday, a student that spoke also reminded us about the truth of Psalms 34:18.
Psalm 34:18
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Our hearts are broken and today my jacket pocket feels way too full.
Lord, help us and help these families.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Another Opportunity to see Coyote County Loser
http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2009/11/04/flyer-guide-the-540-film-festival/
Doin' GOOD!
| Col 1:16 | For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. |
| Col 1:17 | He is before all things, AND IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER. |
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Beauty will rise.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Preston's Birthday
Monday, November 2, 2009
Women of Faith
