Day 287 - Lament

"No one wants to watch strength fade and soundness vanish away."

Reading the journal entry from last year was tough today. It brings back memories of a time where two grandparents were fading from this life and another one was ill. Today is a better day since those two are in Heaven. More difficult days are ahead. I have family on both sides that are close to their end of days here on earth. My greatest comfort is that they are Godly people and will be in Heaven soon. 

Death is never easy. Death is as much of a part of life as life itself is. Unless Jesus comes in our lifetime we will all have to pass through a physical death. For those who are Christians it will be a passing from glory to glory. We discard this old tattered tent and put on our eternal dwelling. 

The pain of that process is not for those who are gone but for those who remain. We all feel the loss of someone we cared for and valued. It is necessary to grieve and shed tears. When we do we heal and are able to move forward in life. 

I have had two men that I deeply cared for pass on too soon. Both left a profound impact on my life. One was a high school friend named Marcus. He was kind of a quirky guy who always had something to say. We would love to have him around as a friend and life of the party so to speak. When he truly gave his heart to the Lord he traveled with a missions group and shared the love of Jesus with everyone he met. One day he put on a new pair of roller-blades and grabbed the back of a friends car and went for a ride. Little did anyone know that would be his last act on the earth. 

Our youth group took it hard. We prayed, cried, gathered and talked. We comforted one another that Marcus was probably talking Jesus' ear off and was running around Heaven having a good time. I learned that life is short and we have to stay focused on our mission while we are here from Marcus. 

The second man that impacted my life was named Martin. He was a small African American with a gold tooth and corn rows that ushered at our church. He had a scratchy voice and a personality much like Marcus. That is probably why I liked him. When people would get saved at our church he would go get them and bring them to the altar. One time two kids got saved and Martin had one under each arm and had the biggest laugh and smile. 

When Martin passed from health issues I remember how surreal it felt. I had the privilege of doing the funeral. The only problem was that I had grown to love Martin as a brother in the Lord and when I went to speak at the funeral cried through most of my words. During the funeral they showed a video that they had filmed of Martin at our Food Distribution Center. He was giving his testimony about how he actually died in a hospital and had an encounter with Jesus. He knew better than what he was doing and the Lord gave him a charge to live for Him for the rest of his days. Martin's next words still ring through my soul; "I left this earth a fool and came back a preacher." Indeed he was and he did live for the Lord whole hearted for his time here on the earth. 

In Ecclesiastes it says there is more wisdom in the house of mourning than in the house of feasting. The living take to heart their lives in the light of eternity when confronted with death. It isn't easy but it is a place we can grow from and take comfort that God is good no matter what. 

What lessons have you learned in times of mourning? Are there scriptures that give you comfort when facing death and eternity? 

Day 179 - When the Bride Walks In

"I did a wedding today and when the bride walked in everyone applauded. It was a first for the weddings I have done."

I remember this day because I had to iron my shirt for the wedding which made me right on time. You never want the bride or the minister late. I rushed to my spot to officiate and after the whole procession came in they opened the back doors to the chapel and here came the bride. She was dressed in white with a flowing train behind her dress. Her flowers were beautifully arranged and she held them perfectly for everyone to admire. All that was second to her smile as she entered the room looking around at her friends and family and finally resting her gaze on the groom. 

Of coarse he was smiling and a bit teary eyed. To be honest I have had more grooms cry than brides. And his gaze was set set the moment she walked in. 

It was such a pleasant surprise when everyone saw her and started to applaud. It was like the rush of wind through the trees that when you hear it commands your attention and makes you take notice. 

I wonder if Heaven will be like that. When Jesus calls us home and we arrive at the gates. The bride adorned for the groom. The gates swing open and we enter in. All around us are sights we have only imagined as we read from the Bible. The golden streets, the crystal sea, the living creatures...and then we see Him. He is there on the throne waiting for us. All of Heaven erupts with shouts of joy and triumph. We are with Him forever. 

What do you like about weddings? What do you imagine when you think of Heaven? 

Day 159 - The Song of Heaven

Last year on this day I preached in the Spanish speaking church services at our church through an interpreter. From that experience I wrote the following:

"At the last song we were singing together, the congregation in Spanish and me in English, I got a picture of heaven where all tribes and tongues would be singing the songs of heaven in their own language. It was beautiful."

There will be a day, sooner than we know, when every tribe, every nation, every tongue will sing the song of Heaven. It will be in unison and will be glorious. All are welcome, many are called, few are chosen. But the faithful will be there. They will be robed in white and the praise of God will be their song. 

I look forward to that day and I pray for a worldwide outpouring of the Spirit that people would be saved. I pray that people from all over, from different cultures and diverse social and economic backgrounds would be reached. From the urbanized to the third world to the huts in the most remote jungle I pray they hear and respond to the gospel message. 

I long to see all the nations united by one blood, the blood of Jesus, singing the song of Heaven to His glory, honor and praise! 

What excites you about Heaven? How can we reach more people with the message of Jesus?