In Sorrow: Redefining Death ... and Life!

In Sorrow: Redefining Death ... and Life!

A wise person thinks a lot about death,
    while a fool thinks only about having a good time.

Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 NLT

Death! 

The word puts terror in our bones! We know it's coming but we ignore it when we can, and we act like we will live on this earth forever. But then there's the health crisis, the loss of a loved one, the thoughts in the darkness of night, the day-mare or nightmare. And the realization of the truth of where we are all heading (some of us sooner than later) comes sneaking or crashing in. And then we have to face the inevitable or drown it all out with some artificial comfort.

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Craig's Song: I Am Waiting for the Dawning . . .

Craig's Song: I Am Waiting for the Dawning . . .

The beauty of aging is that long-term memory starts to kick in (don't ask me what I had for breakfast!).

And that's what happened in the midst of a hard time, a sweet yet bitter time, when many gathered to share our corporate sadness, yet rejoicing, at the graduation to glory of our dear brother and friend Craig Steffen.

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Lenten Meditation: Finding It Home

I wrote this a year ago, while my mom was still alive...now she is in glory, experiencing what she had anticipated all her life! Paradise, Heaven, the Pearly Gates, our Eternal Rest...mystery beyond measure!

The Bible gives us glimpses of this place of rest from earthly labors...streets of gold, myriads of angels, the throne of God, believing loved ones we have said "good by" to on this earth, and most of all, the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Lover of our souls!

My almost 91 year old mom is getting very close to that glorious place.  I think that all her life, she has kept heaven in view.  I remember as a child she would quote this verse to me:

...eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 DRA

She applied that precious verse to heaven, and she is certainly right.*  We humans cannot even imagine...but we will have our spiritual senses sharpened to take it all in.  Now we experience Him & His delights as in a shadow, don't we?  But then face to face!

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV

I found a sweet book on Heaven in my search to find something my mom could take in with her now limited physical understanding.  It's by Anne Graham Lotz.  Perhaps you would like to take a look.

The older I get in the Lord, the more I realize what Jesus said is true, "Unless you become as a little child, you cannot enter [and might I add, "experience"] the kingdom of God."

As I woke up this morning, I recalled a song I have loved for years.  It has a hauntingly beautiful melody, so rich in imagery.  Here it is. Enjoy it in two ways.  The first is the song movingly sung by a male voice; the second, at the end of a sweet medley sung by Christine Wrytzen.  May you be blessed by both.

Finally Home

When engulfed by the terror of the tempestuous sea, Unknown waves before you roll; At the end of doubt and peril is eternity, Though fear and conflict seize your soul.

But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven! Of touching a hand-And finding it God's! Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial! Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!

When surrounded by the blackness of the darkest night, O how lonely death can be; At the end of this long tunnel is a shining light, For death is swallowed up in victory!

But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven! Of touching a hand-And finding it God's! Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial! Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!

[youtuber youtube='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2uZxlfFQm4']

[youtuber youtube='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX4F1eatvmY']

*In the context of 2 Corinthians 2, this verse is more broadly applied to experiencing the Lord in ever increasing measure even while here on earth.  Of course in heaven, it will be full...hallelujah!

Another song shared just today by my devout cousin-in-law. Thank you, Marilyn!

[youtuber youtube='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPLO3c1LrTU']

He's Alive! Still!

Empty tomb, Peter & John running
Empty tomb, Peter & John running

Peter's story...and ours?* He's Alive!

The gates and doors were barred All the windows fastened down I spent the night in sleeplessness And rose at every sound

Half in hopeless sorrow And half in fear the day Would find the soldiers breakin’ through To drag us all away

And just before the sunrise Heard something at the wall The gate began to rattle And a voice began to call

Hurried to the window Looked down into the street Expecting swords and torches And the sound of soldier’s feet

There was no one there but Mary So I went down to let her in John stood there beside me As she told us where she’d been

She said they’ve moved Him in the night And none of us knows where The stones been rolled away And now His body isn’t there

We both ran toward the garden Then John ran on ahead We found the stone and the empty tomb Just the way that Mary said

Empty tomb, peter
Empty tomb, peter

But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in Was just an empty shell And how or where they’d taken Him Was more than I could tell

Well, something strange had happened there Just what I did not know John believed a miracle But I just turned to go

Circumstance and speculation Couldn’t lift me very high ‘Cause I’d seen them crucify Him Then I saw Him die

Back inside the house again The guilt and anguish came Everything I’d promised Him Just added to my shame

When at last it came to choices I denied I knew His name Even if He was alive It wouldn’t be the same

Suddenly the air was filled With strange and sweet perfume Light that came from everywhere Drove shadows from the room

Jesus stood before me With His arms held open wide And I fell down on my knees And just clung to Him and cried

He raised me to my feet And as I looked into His eyes Love was shining out from Him Like sunlight from the skies

Guilt in my confusion Disappeared in sweet release And every fear I’d ever had Just melted into peace

He’s alive, He’s alive He’s alive and I’m forgiven Heaven’s gates are open wide

empty tomb
empty tomb

He’s alive, He’s alive He’s alive and I’m forgiven Heaven’s gates are open wide

He’s alive, He’s alive He’s alive and I’m forgiven Heaven’s gates are open wide He’s alive, He’s alive, He’s alive

* Thanks to Frank Viola for sharing this song on his blog Beyond Evangelical

Lenten Meditation: Finding It Home

Paradise, Heaven, the Pearly Gates, our Eternal Rest...mystery beyond measure! The Bible gives us glimpses of this place of rest from earthly labors...streets of gold, myriads of angels, the throne of God, believing loved ones we have said "good by" to on this earth, and most of all, the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Lover of our souls!

heaven, jesus welcoming
heaven, jesus welcoming

My almost 91 year old mom is getting very close to that glorious place.  I think that all her life, she has kept heaven in view.  I remember as a child she would quote this verse to me:

...eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 DRA

She applied that precious verse to heaven, and she is certainly right.*  We humans cannot even imagine...but we will have our spiritual senses sharpened to take it all in.  Now we experience Him & His delights as in a shadow, don't we?  But then face to face!

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV

I found a sweet book on Heaven in my search to find something my mom could take in with her now limited physical understanding.  It's by Anne Graham Lotz.  Perhaps you would like to take a look.

The older I get in the Lord, the more I realize what Jesus said is true, "Unless you become as a little child, you cannot enter [and might I add, "experience"] the kingdom of God."

Heaven, Lotz
Heaven, Lotz

As I woke up this morning, I recalled a song I have loved for years.  It has a hauntingly beautiful melody, so rich in imagery.  Here it is. Enjoy it in two ways.  The first is the song movingly sung by a male voice; the second, at the end of a sweet medley sung by Christine Wrytzen.  May you be blessed by both.

Heaven, god's hands
Heaven, god's hands

Finally Home

When engulfed by the terror of the tempestuous sea, Unknown waves before you roll; At the end of doubt and peril is eternity, Though fear and conflict seize your soul.

But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven! Of touching a hand-And finding it God's! Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial! Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!

When surrounded by the blackness of the darkest night, O how lonely death can be; At the end of this long tunnel is a shining light, For death is swallowed up in victory!

But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven! Of touching a hand-And finding it God's! Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial! Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!

*In the context of 2 Corinthians 2, this verse is more broadly applied to experiencing the Lord in ever increasing measure even while here on earth.  Of course in heaven, it will be full...hallelujah!