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Life is a continual process of letting go. It seems that an important element of growth is learning how to let go gracefully. As babies, we are not very good at letting go. Before we can say the word “mine!” we have mastered the concept. We only relinquish something under loud protest. Some wise one once advised me to hold loosely to things in this world. They are fleeting, and never really belong to me anyway. Some things are harder to let loose than others. Among those are the loved ones in our lives. On February 1, 2005, my wife of almost 15 years died after a lengthy fight with brain cancer. The cancer was a part of our entire life together – Mary had her first brain tumor surgery about three years before we met. When we got married, she expected to live only another year or two. So, despite my natural facility for denial, the specter of its return lurked in the shadows. She had an emergency brain surgery in March, 1999, and a follow-up surgery in September, 2000. Before I go any further, there are some things I would like to say to those of you in the midst of grieving. Nothing I say here is meant to in anyway minimize or trivialize your grief. Each grief experience is unique; we all come to it through different life experiences. Even subsequent losses in one person’s life can result in very different grief processes. The things I share are unique to my experience, and so there is no need to measure your process by mine. However, they are shared in the hope that something I have learned in the process may help you in your process. For those of you not grieving at this time, I have this to say. Get ready. Unless you live a very short life, you will likely experience the loss of a loved one some time in the future. Looking back, I see that God graciously prepared me for this process, and that preparation spared me a lot of pain. My hope is that something from my experience will help God prepare you for the grief you will some day face, and that you will look for God’s preparation and accept it before the time comes. Though my story started long before, I will pick it up in late June of 2004. That day I was “speaking” with God, reflecting on the peaceful nature of my life at that time. The family was doing well, finances were sufficient, and my job was great. It hadn’t often been that way. I remembered a sermon speaking of the times of refreshing God grants us between the storms of life, and thought, “There’s a storm coming, isn’t there?” It wasn’t a fatalistic resignation, rather a recognition that we live in a broken world that is far short of heaven. I was thankful for the time of refreshing, but I understood its purpose was to prepare me for the next storm. In surrender, I told God that it was alright. I didn’t need to know what the storm would be, when it would come or how long it would last. Just as long as He would be with me in the storm, I would somehow get through. Sometime later I saw the picture that came into my mind that day. It was a painting of Jesus standing in the front of a boat with the storm raging around Him. I pictured myself standing next to Him, holding onto His hand. I knew that He was not going to go under, and as long as I held onto Him, neither would I. I knew He could calm the storm, as recorded in Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:22-25, but I also understood that sometimes He lets us go through the storm, and brings us through safely like he did with Paul and his companions in Acts 27. As I pondered the possible storm scenarios, I never considered that Mary’s cancer would return. I figured it would be something to do with my job or finances, like it had been so many times before, but I didn’t fret about it long. It was enough to know He would be there, whatever, and whenever. The past storms had convinced me that even if everyone else abandoned me, Christ never would. Much of that confidence came through a previous trial that involved a year-long separation from Mary and our new child. It was during that separation that Mary had her emergency brain surgery after her mother found her unconscious on the kitchen floor. That year was possibly the most difficult time in my life, and I found myself continually going back to three songs I had heard on our Christian radio station. Though I remember the lyrics of one song, I have never been able to find out who the artist is. I have enquired on Christian lyrics web sites, and have even asked people from the station that played it a couple of years earlier, and nobody seems to remember it. Sometimes I wonder if maybe I was the only one who ever heard it! The lyrics, as I remember them, follow: God is God, and I am not. I comprehend as far as blind eyes see. Life, untold, will naturally unfold. Faith includes the triumph and the tragedy. Why ask, “Why” – the meaning’s too high. It is enough for me to simply say, God is God, and I am not. The simplicity of these lyrics under-states their profundity. God is God, and even if He chose to answer my questions, I would likely never fully understand the answers. It is sufficient to know He is God and He is in control. In mid-July of 2004, Mary started having headaches. That and other symptoms convinced her that the tumor was growing again. That was confirmed at the end of the month when an MRI showed that not only had it grown, it was now inoperable. It had graduated to a high-grade glio-blastoma multiforma (GBM), a very aggressive brain tumor that is virtually always fatal. So … this was to be the storm! As soon as I acknowledged that, a peace flooded my heart, reminding me of my conversation with God the previous month. He would be faithful and get us through the storm, if he didn’t calm it. I marvel at how that single act of surrender to His peace carried me through the next six months, and beyond. Mary’s only hope of surviving a GBM (besides a miracle) was to undergo aggressive chemo-therapy, and even that hope was slim. She had already had the maximum radiation dose after her third surgery. Anything they did would likely leave her more impaired than she already was. She made the decision not to pursue treatment, but to enroll in a hospice program. She was at peace with God, and was weary of the partial blindness, hearing problems, cognitive difficulties and other issues she had struggled with for the last several years. Her only regret was that she would not be around to raise her daughter, the joy of her life. Mary’s first prayer after getting the news was that this would help pull together our Adult Bible Fellowship. It was truly marvelous how God answered that prayer. They, and other believers covered us with love and grace. We saw the body of Christ being the Body of Christ, and it was a marvelous experience. The non-believers around us got to see what the church is really all about, and it changed lives Casas Church Pastor Jerry Wilkinson gave me some wise counsel early in the process. He told me that I needed to begin my grieving process immediately, so I would be far enough along to help our daughter when the time came. Following that advice allowed me to let go gradually, so that the final goodbye was not as traumatic as it might have been. In fact, a week or two before she died, I was able to tell Mary that it was alright, she could let go any time she wanted, we would be OK. Over the next six months, we watched as Mary gradually deteriorated. The Hospice nurses and social workers told me ahead of time what to expect at various stages, so I was able to anticipate what her and our needs would be. Mary’s sister, a hospice nurse, came down early in the process and did a lot to help us get ready for the task ahead. That was an immeasurable blessing. One nurse told me something that at first might seem insensitive, but actually helped my daughter and me cope with the process. She said that brain tumor patients will often begin to do and say some very funny things, and that we needed to treasure those funny memories and enjoy them. We still giggle over some of those memories, not disrespectfully, but because some of them really were funny. Being given the permission to do that lightened that time considerably. It also allowed us to enter in to some of those times with her. How much of it was the tumor, and how much was the painkillers, we may never know, but most of the time, she was happy, once she let go of the need to be in control. There were some rocky times, but even those were not overwhelming. So many fellow believers had gathered around us, that it lightened the load considerably. Never underestimate the value of “just being there” for someone in the midst of it. I was fortunate to work with people who were understanding and stepped in to cover the duties I was unable to during that time. They took up a collection when they first found out, and sent the three of us to California to be with Mary’s family for a week. My employer has a “compassionate transfer of leave” program that allows people to donate a portion of their vacation time to cover sick leave for someone who has used up all of theirs. Though I ran out of vacation and sick leave two thirds of the way through, I did not miss a single paycheck. Our benefits program covered virtually all of the expenses, so I was not burdened financially during that time. I spent the last couple of months of Mary’s illness scanning pictures of her into the computer during my spare time. This was wonderful therapy, and helped me compose a brochure and video slide show for the memorial service. Being able to prepare this memorial to her life was very healing when the time came, and allowed me to celebrate her life and our life together. It also helps Christina and me when we get to missing Mary. We can put the slide show on the computer and allow the pictures to refresh her memory as we listen to some of her favorite music and songs that remind us of her. I recommend you do this for any loved one, because it is a great way to celebrate them right now, and will prove a wonderful comfort should you ever lose them We had also discussed ahead of time, the music we wanted for the memorial service. The last part of Chris Rice’s “Untitled Hymn” struck us both as so appropriate. That song still affects Christina and me deeply whenever we hear it. And with your final heartbeat, Kiss the world goodbye. Then go in peace. And laugh on glory’s side And fly to Jesus. Fly to Jesus. Fly to Jesus, and live! It was almost two weeks from the day Mary died to the memorial service. That allowed family to come without such short notice. I cannot overstate the healing value of actively planning and preparing parts of the memorial service. It provided a sense of closure I would not have felt otherwise. It gave me a chance to honor her and put together a “chronicle” of her life. It was some time later, looking at a picture of us taken on our engagement day, that I realized the memorial service was on the 15th anniversary of our engagement. Somehow, that seemed “right.” When it came time for that final “letting go”, it was almost a relief, not in the sense of being relived of a burden, but being relieved of responsibility for her. It was a year or so later at the funeral of a co-worker’s wife that I heard someone articulate what I felt. The pastor preaching the funeral had lost his wife to cancer four years earlier, and he told my friend that he would probably feel a sense of relief, that he was no longer responsible for his wife’s welfare, and safety, and that was alright. That was exactly what I had felt concerning Mary. Not that the responsibility had been an overwhelming burden, but I no longer had to worry about her. It was like the relief one feels upon completing some difficult assignment, or upon delivery of some precious cargo to its rightful owner. She was safe. There was nothing the enemy could do to touch her now. She was happier than she had ever been in this life. All of her infirmities were healed. There was nothing for her to worry about there. And she had finally seen the face of the one who had shed His blood and poured out His own life to save her. All of her fears and doubts and worries were over – she was where she was created to be. This relief filled me with a sense of joy and peace. Sure we would miss her. But it would be just for a while. For her it would not even be that. She was already experiencing that re-union in the timelessness of eternity. Letting go of Mary was not like losing her. I know into whose hands I had released her, and know that He is able to hold her securely, and keep her safe, much safer than I could. … I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. (2 Tim. 1:1) It’s been three and a half years since Mary left, and much has happened during that time. The daughter she bore continues to be the joy of my life, and keeps me from totally reverting to bachelor-style housekeeping. I often wonder what God has in store for Christina. If, as Oswald Chambers says, “God only uses those greatly, whom He has hurt deeply,” He must have big plans for her. Mary laid a wonderful foundation of faith in her heart that continues to bear fruit today. She has a deep love for God, and a sensitivity of Spirit beyond her years. I look forward to seeing God’s plan for her life unfold. During grief, we often become more aware of the possibility of losing other loved ones. Those thoughts crossed my mind as well, concerning Christina – how would I handle it if something happened to her? I thought of that a lot in the first year, but came to the same conclusion. She was not really mine to hold anyway. She is a gift from God, and He loves her even more than I do. And he is a far more capable parent than I. So I decided that I could trust Him to take care of her. If He took her home early, she would miss out on a lot of sorrow and struggle, and be re-united with her mother even sooner – she would be alright, and so would I. In the meantime, I can enjoy her and thank God for the gift. That made it a lot easier to let her go on a school trip to China this past summer. While my grief experience has been blanketed with peace and joy, I know that is not the norm. I know many others suffer deeply through grief, and I don’t fully understand why I haven’t. But I am grateful, none-the-less, for God’s grace and mercy towards me. My heart goes out to all of you in the midst of grief, and I pray you will find the comfort you so desperately seek in Him who is the God of all comfort. 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 have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

To reduce stress, you have to be intentional about changing your lifestyle. Here are some practical tips that will enrich and de-stress your daily life. Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn’t happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice. Pray. Go to bed on time. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed. Say no to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health. Delegate tasks to capable others. Simplify and unclutter your life. Less is more. (Although, one is often not enough, two are often too many.) Allow extra time to do things and to get to places. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don’t lump the hard things all together. Take one day at a time. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can’t do anything about a situation, forget it. Live within your budget; don’t use credit cards for ordinary purchases. Have backups: an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble. Do something for the kid in you every day. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand. Get enough rest. Eat right. Get organized so everything has its place. Listen to a CD or mp3 while driving that will help improve your quality of life. Write down thoughts. Every day, find time to be alone. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don’t wait until it’s time to go to bed to try and pray. Make friends with godly people. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good “Thank you Jesus.” Laugh. Laugh some more! Take your work seriously, but yourself, not at all. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can). Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most). Sit on your ego. Talk less; listen more. Slow down. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.Every night before bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for that you’ve never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Children have an incredible knack at comforting. One mother tells of her little Tina coming home late from school. “Where have you been, Tina?” her mom asked. “Lisa dropped her best doll and it broke,” explained Tina. “I stayed to help her.” “Oh, were you able to fix it? It was very kind of you to try.” “No, Mom,” Tina lamented. “I couldn’t fix the doll. So I stayed to help her cry.” Pastor Dan was one of those persons people called about everything. He was just the one you wanted to talk to when you had a problem or something to share. Once he was visiting neighbors in the high-rise apartment building next to his church. He knocked on the door of a resident just to get acquainted. He met with a cold response, but was undaunted in his efforts to make a new friend. Upon finally gaining entrance, he found himself seated across from a very grumpy woman who had nothing good to say about anyone, from the mayor to the maintenance man. Pastor Dan just listened as he always did, throwing in a few “Really!” and “Imagine that!” kind of comments along with lots of smiles. When the old woman’s tirade slowed, Pastor Dan said he was delighted to have met her but he’d better be running alone now. If it were okay with her, he’d be back later in the week with a loaf of his wife’s fresh bread. Pastor Dan would have thought little more about the episode had the woman’s daughter not dropped by his office the following day. “Are you the pastor who visited my mother yesterday?” she inquired. Upon confirming that he was, the daughter introduced herself and promptly asked another question: “Whatever have you done to Mother?” Pastor Dan looked puzzled, so she continued. “My mother has been a totally different person since your visit!” the daughter went on incredulously. “She’s actually been cheerful—not one of her usual qualities you might have guessed! And she says you’re the best conversationalist in the whole wide world!” There are times when we all need some comfort, when we need to be soothed. It’s not always easy to live in this troubled world. But a touch of comfort can go a long way in soothing a hurting heart. From Jumpstart Connections, pp. 91-93 by Karen Holford and Karen and Ron Flowers.

The first pillar in the Biblical foundations of instrumental music in worship is the Psalms. When considering the Psalms and instrumental music, most instrumentalists think of Psalm 150, but there are actually a total of twenty-four psalms that mention the use of instruments in worship, either in the psalm heading or in the text itself. We won’t take the time to examine all those psalms, but let’s take a closer look at two of the more familiar psalms that mention musical instruments, Psalm 150 and Psalm 33. Psalm 150 concludes the book of Psalms with a chorus of praise, including every family of instruments: woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings: “Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre; Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pip. Praise Him with loud cymbals. Praise Him on the high-sounding cymbals.” Psalm 150:3-5 Pipe, trumpet, timbrel (or tambourine), cymbals, harp, lyre (similar to the harp), and stringed instruments, representing all four families of instruments and all used in praise of almighty God! Even though this psalm mentions instruments in each of the four families, note the conspicuous absence of singing. Commentators on this psalm have seen this as undeniable Biblical support for instrumental praise alone. Psalm 33 is the first psalm to mention instruments, and connects the worship attitudes of joy, thanksgiving, and praise with the use of instruments: Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. (Psalm 33:1-3) Take special note of the latter half of verse three in this particular psalm: “Play skillfully with a shout of joy.” We are to play skillfully as we worship the Lord. The famous British preacher, Charles Spurgeon, comments on this verse, “It is wretched to hear God praised in a slovenly manner. He deserves the best that we have.” Let us remember this Biblical mandate to faithfully minister with excellence.

Share 0 You can teach a child to pray in many creative ways. Here are just a couple: Prayer Picture Cards Things you need-Index cards, photos of people, pictures from magazines, glue, clear adhesive or a laminating machine. Make cards with different pictures that can remind you or your child to pray for different things, such as things to thank God for, people to pray for, asking forgiveness and help, or special prayer requests. Let your children talk about the pictures and explain why they chose them. Laminate the cards or protect them with adhesive film. Keep the cards together and let your child choose a few to use each time as guides for their nightly prayers. Another option would be to stack the cards in different categories, such as Praises, Thanks, and Requests. Let each child or parent praying choose one or two from each pack, or share them evenly among those praying. Let your children talk about the pictures and explain why they chose them. Acrostic Name Prayer (for older children) Things you need-paper, pens. Take a piece of paper and write the letters of your full name down the side of the paper. Use each letter to helop you write an acrostic prayer to God. For example: J-Jehovah, God, my Father, I come to worship you. O-Over and over I wants to praise You for Your love. E-Even when I make mistakes and hurt You, You still love me. L-Lord, help me to share Your amazing love with others. Another option is to choose one of the many names of God given in the Bible and use that as the acrostic name. “I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” Psalm 7:17 From 100 Creative Prayer Ideas for Kids (and grown-ups too!) by Karen Holford.

When we’ve been there then thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing Gods praise, Than when we’ve first begun. This last verse, from John Newton’s familiar hymn, “Amazing Grace”, speaks of that which we believers have to look forward – an eternity of praise in the presence of our creator. But I think the concept of eternity is probably one of the more difficult for us to grasp. I used to tell people that if I ever wrote a book on calculus, I would use that stanza as the introduction to the chapter discussing limits and infinity. It states the concept of infinity as clearly as any I have read or heard. But are infinity and eternity the same? or even similar? Infinity, by definition is limitlessness, a concept only approached in the universe, if current theories are correct. It used to be assumed that time and the physical universe were infinite in dimensions, but current cosmological thinking has come to the startling conclusion that both time and the universe have limits. There are physical limits to the size of the universe, and there was a point at which time and matter began. It is interesting how that agrees with God’s word in the Bible. Many cosmologists even envision a point at which time and matter will end. So, if time and the universe are not infinite, what is outside of them? We are limited in our understanding by the fact that we are constrained in time. Every aspect of our being is controlled by time, so it is difficult to rationalize anything outside of time. In the same way, it is difficult to imagine anything outside of our physical universe, because we have no rational context into which it can fit. It is not a vacuum, because a vacuum is still a function of matter and energy. It has to be something totally different than anything from our physical and temporal existence. Maybe it is eternity. In each of us, there is a part that seems to know that there is something “out beyond” – a realm we cannot directly access, but a realm that can still touch us. The Bible is a message from one who dwells there, as incomprehensible as eternity itself, but none-the-less real and significant in our lives. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) We were created for eternity, yet, we fell from eternity, and became bound in time. I am unable to make my way back to eternity, but God can reach into time from eternity, touch me and draw me back. God himself paid the price to bring me back into eternity. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3) Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. “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 3:14-16) I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24) For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:40) We see that even though eternity exists outside of time, it permeates all of time. Time may be thought of as a subset of eternity, in the same way a tabletop may be thought of as a subset of a room. This construct helps me understand God’s ability to operate in and out of time, His ability to be everywhere all at once. Just as I can touch the tabletop anywhere, God can stick his finger into time at any point and turn the flow of history in the direction he has purposed from eternity. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ephesians 3:10-11) Being an eternal being, outside of time and the universe, He can permeate all of time and all of the universe at once. He is not constrained to effect His will only sequentially in time, thus He is able to deal with my free will and still ensure that His plan unfolds as He has purposed. He can see my future acts as clearly as He can see my past acts. And He can reach into my past and tweak my history to bring me to the point of decision I reach today or tomorrow, building the sequence of events in my past that will allow me to see His best for me today. Thus He is able to bring me to a point where I agree with His will for me and freely make decisions in keeping with that agreement. He is sovereign – yet I am free to act as I see fit. Predestination and free will need not be in conflict! Of course, all of these word pictures are still limited by the existence with which we are familiar. It is no more possible to describe eternity and an eternal God, than it is possible to imagine or describe a color I have never seen. I like the way Josh Wilson says it in his “Three Minute Song” I tried to write a song, and keep it three minutes long Get in, get out, nobody gets hurt And I tried a thousand times to fit God between the lines But I’m finding out that doesn’t really work I just don’t have the words to say Because words only get in my way I must apologize, I have the hardest time Finding something to define a God that I can’t define And even if I could, it would take way too long If all I’ve got’s a 3 minute song I’ve got a hundred metaphors, and if I had a hundred more I could never ever seem to sum this up Besides, how can some melody communicate eternity? It’s like trying to fit the ocean in a cup. Eternity is not really like anything we have experienced. It is only by revelation from God that we can get glimpses of eternity and His nature. Even then, our nature only allows us to see a tiny glimpse of what it must be like – not what it really is. He is able to express it in language we can relate to, but our understanding will still be limited. One day, when I am free of the shackles of time, I will be able, from the vantage point of eternity, to see all of time as He does. Only then will I begin to understand how history had to flow, and how I fit into that flow. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1Corinthians 13:12) I think this is why there will be no tears of sorrow in heaven. I will see that everything did indeed unfold according to a plan that brought God glory and brought me to that blessed place with Him. So, I do not believe that eternity is infinite time. Infinite time could become tedious very quickly (in relative terms anyway). But I think eternity will be an entirely new experience, one filled with the wonder of discovery and understanding of things we can only dream about while we are bound in time. Yet I believe there is a part of me that can relate to eternity, even though I have no language with which to describe it. Many pagan belief systems see time as infinite, repeating itself in endless cycles of death and rebirth, forever destined to rise no higher than it has to date, and from all appearances spiraling downward. That sounds like an apt description of Hell to me. If history were indeed driven by man, that is the way it would go. But we know that God really directs and drives history forward towards a climax and a conclusion that He has prepared before time began. Life is not futile, it can have purpose and meaning because God is drawing us back into eternity to fellowship with Him. There is a purpose for all that we experience, and once we are free of time, we shall see it and rejoice … or face eternal regret that we did not accept His offer of grace. Understanding this little bit about eternity helps me anticipate some of what heaven may be like. And knowing how limited is my understanding of eternity assures me that heaven is undoubtedly far greater than all I can hope or imagine. But it also convinces me of the horror of hell, an eternity of separation from God, after having clearly seen all that He created me to be, and all he did to draw me back to Him. The flames of hell could be seen as a mercy if they distract from the realization of what was forfeited by foolish choice. But even if we do not fully grasp it, as believers, we have already entered into eternal life. It is not just a future reality, it is here and now. It was always here, but I was unaware of it while enslaved to sin. I may have caught whiffs of it in the air, as a fragrance born on the wind from a far country. But I did not recognize what it was, and might have feared its unfamiliarity. If told about it while in that deceived state, I may have even dreaded it, thinking it was only endless time – time can be so cruel. But as I was lifted a little from the morass of time, allowed to breathe more freely of this new fragrance, it infused my soul with new hope and joy because of the loving mercy and grace of my Savior. As I loose my grip on this ephemeral existence, I am able to experience more of eternity. As I take my focus off the corrupted image of heaven, I am able to see further into the reality of eternity. And sometime it simply overwhelms me so that I am left speechless. If not an understanding of eternity, at least an eager anticipation of it is central to an intentionally-biblical world-view. Only within an eternal frame of reference can I place all that occurs into a proper perspective. Knowing of the eternal pleasures that await, makes it easier to wait patiently upon the Lord, and renew my strength. Appreciating the contrast between the ephemeral and eternal makes it easier to reign in the materialism that so easily creeps in and robs me of true treasure stored up in heaven. Seeing myself from an eternal perspective brings true humility. Though “it is not all about me”, I still play a significant role in God’s plan. Believing that there is something outside of time helps me keep my focus on eternity, so I can finish the race rather than become defeated by the hopelessness of time and the futility of the physical world. Understanding the eternal frustration of a Christ-less eternity creates a deeper urgency to rescue the lost from such a fate, and makes me grateful for the grace and mercy I receive from His loving hand.

I am sure we have all been asked, or pondered the question on our own, “What would you do differently, if you knew you only had 6 months to live?” A truly contented person might respond, “Nothing, I’m already doing what I would do under those circumstances.” But then there are the rest of us. How I respond to that question probably reveals the internal conflict that rages inside me between selfishness and selflessness. Even my most “spiritual” responses would probably be tinged with a little selfishness – doing good things to bulk-up my heavenly savings account, or wanting to be remembered positively. “What would you do differently if you knew you were going to live forever?” It’s like the senior who quips, “If I had known I was going to live this long, I would’ve taken better care of myself!” Living life for the long run might, at first glance, appears to be inconsistent with burning brightly to win the sprint. But, in a thoroughly integrated world-view, the answer to both questions might be the same. The writer of Hebrews says: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebr. 12:1-2) Nowhere in this passage does it state whether the race is a sprint or a marathon. In fact, I know not if the race before me is a sprint or a marathon. Nevertheless, I need to run it in the same way, with the same world view. The passage tells me what kind of world-view I need to finish strong. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith… Jesus must be at the center of my world-view. Only then am I going to run the race successfully. He is the finish line, and by keeping my focus upon Him, I will stay on course and not be distracted from the task at hand. Only then will I be able to …throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles… I often forget that there is an adversary that would love to see me fail, and so rob God of the glory He intends to reveal in me. The enemy will throw enticements into my path to distract my attention, or obstacles to trip me up, or obstructions to discourage me. If he can get me to dwell on my meager strength, he will convince me that I am not able to finish, nor even worthy to compete. But if my focus is on Christ, I will continue to move towards Him, no matter the enticements offered. I will hurdle over obstacles in my path. If I stumble, I will be able to pick myself up and continue in the right direction. And if I find my way blocked, I will wait upon Him to reveal the way around, over, under, or through the obstruction, because I will know that I am running in the right direction. If I am focused on Christ, I will also know that it is by His strength that I run, not my own. I will not limit myself to what I have accomplished in the past, but I will look forward with confident expectation (hope) for the miracles He will perform in my behalf as I run in obedience to His call. Have you ever seen an Olympic runner race with his previous medals around his neck. Often, my past achievements can be my biggest “hindrance.” I can also learn something from the way Jesus ran His race. …who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. What stops most from completing a footrace is the discomfort involved in running. When my sides ache from the build-up of metabolic waste products in my muscles, my legs feel like rubber, and it seems I cannot suck in enough air to keep going, it is easy to give up and drop out of the race. What many runners have learned, is that they can push beyond that “wall” and get their “second wind.” The difference comes in having a good reason to push past the pain and discomfort, to …run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Jesus knew to what He had to look forward, so He was able to push past the pain of Galilee, Gethsemane and Golgotha to take hold of the glory that was His. In the same way, if my eyes are fixed upon Him, I will know enough about my reward that I will be motivated to push past the pain and finish strong. And, as if that isn’t enough by itself, I also have a cloud of witnesses cheering me on in this race. Some of those witnesses are identified in the preceding chapter of Hebrews (what the “therefore” is there for!). They have run the race, and know that I can too. The Apostle Paul tells us that our goal is worth the hard work of sanctification. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1Cor. 9:24-27) He stresses the importance of focus, discipline and single-mindedness. Every four years we are reminded of the hard work that precedes the stellar performances in the Olympic games. We hear and read stories of years spent in physical and psychological training – all for a medal. How much greater is the reward towards which we strive, and how much more permanent. Even the best Olympic performances are eventually outdone, and that medal may buy me temporary notoriety, but it will not sustain me for the rest of my life, much less for eternity. If my world-view is centered on Christ, is intentional and educates my entire being, I will have the will to do the hard work of sanctification. I will have confidence in the reward. And I will be encouraged by the great cloud of witnesses as I run this race.

The speakers in the mall are playing sleigh-bell songs, Santa is in his grotto with a long line of children waiting to stroke his whiskers and the media is full of adverts for the latest ’must-have’ toys. Grocery trolleys are piled high with calories, and the glossy magazines are enticing you to throw away last year’s decorations and go with a whole new theme. And maybe, if you hunt for it, you will find a tiny manger filled with hay huddled in a dark corner, covered with dust. It may even be empty. 2000 years later there is still no room for Jesus amongst the crowds of people who have forgotten why they celebrate. As Christians we think we understand something of the true meaning of Christmas. But what would you say was the real meaning of Christmas? Peace, love, good news for all people, God with us, God saving us, equality, humility, giving generously, hospitality, acceptance, courage, caring for the homeless…? The Advent story has many facets. If we want to make Christmas spiritually significant for our children, we need to understand the spiritual significance it has for us. Discover the aspects of Christmas you are most passionate about, and then find ways to share your passion with your children. The story of Jesus’ birth has been carefully constructed with us and our children in mind. The Bible could simply say that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but the story takes on added dimensions when there are political upheavals; a young, homeless, pregnant mother gives birth in a stable; angels sing to shepherds and stars guide wise men across distant deserts. This has been choreographed by God himself. The action unfolds with Bethlehem center stage in the Universe, and a story is created to be retold and re-enacted. It is carefully balanced. Poor shepherds visit the baby as well as rich men. There are plots and subplots and an evil villain of a king. Danger lurks around dark corners, but the Light of the World cannot be extinguished, tiny and vulnerable though He is. The story has been told to inspire a sense of wonder and mystery. It captures our imagination and it is especially appealing to children. Take some time out to immerse yourselves in the story. Read it from different books. Ask each other, ‘which part of the story do you like the best? Which part is the most important to you? Where do you see yourself in the story?’ And then ask yourself which aspect you most want to celebrate with your children and family this year? And why this aspect now? Maybe your family needs to experience peace after a time of confusion and pain, or a sense of God being with you (Immanuel) during a time of uncertainty. The best antidote to all the commercialism is to keep the real story alive in your own mind. Keep telling it to your children in different ways. Bring it to life. Talk about what you are going to give other people, rather than what you want to get. Keep plans and decorations simple, and focus on the needs of your children and the people around you who are struggling. Find ways to share what you have and involve your children in the projects. Help them to see, feel, smell, hear and taste what the real story is all about. Maybe you can camp in a stable for one night, play choral music that sounds like angels, and share a sense of wonder about God’s amazing love that would give his only son to be born as a fragile human being, just for you. In the margins there are some ideas to help you bring Christmas alive and make it more meaningful for you and your children. Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire your season; to help you put Jesus at the very center of everything you do; and to give you God’s perspective on all your plans. Then your children will have a deeper understanding of the spiritual significance of this amazing event, and you will help them to live in a deeper understanding of God’s love.

Believing the best is a challenge. It is so easy to focus on what’s wrong with someone rather than on what’s right about them. It’s the natural human response. But when we do this, we risk discouraging others and damaging relationships. Even when it is necessary to point out a mistake, appreciation for the effort is needed in generous proportions to the necessary correction. Ten parts affirmation to one part correction is about right, the experts say. if you can’t think of then good things to say, then just affirm what you can and forget the correction this time. We all become skilled through practice, and with each repetition, there’s opportunity for improvement. In the meantime, even a small dose of gratitude and affirmation keeps people motivated to good works. Even more importantly, it helps them feel good about who they are and the contribution they are making to the family enterprise. The secret is simple. Celebrate the kinds of behaviors you want to see more often. Appreciation is never wasted. You may even share in the rewards! From Jumpstart Connections, Karen Holford and Ron Flowers, p. 15.

Dear Roger, Does the phrase, “Amen”, said at the end of a prayer, relate at all to the Israelite’s captivity in Egypt and the Egyptian god Amen as in the Amenhoteps? Sincerely, Amanda Dear Amanda, My initial response is that, no, the words sound alike by chance and are certainly not related. After all, the Egyptian, Hebrew and Greek languages are from three different language trees-so, no connection. However, upon further review, I believe that there is a connection in the meaning of the words. The Egyptian god you mentioned was named “Amun.” In the pantheon of Egyptian gods, Amun was tops! All of the other gods were viewed as extensions of Amun. He eventually evolved, during the short reign of a dynasty of kings known as the Amenhoteps (which you mentioned) into being the one and only god. This is monotheism–one god–as opposed to polytheism-many gods. According to the Egyptian theology of the time, amun was self-created and was worshipped as a transcendent deity. When the line of the Amenhoteps died out, the Egyptionas returned quickly to their polytheistic pantheon. While it is impossible to pinpoint the exact time of the 400-year Israelite slavery sojourn in Egypt, some think that the Amenhoteps were ruling for at least a portion of that time. (Remember, “There arose a pharaoh who knew not Joseph.”) Hence, there may well be a monotheistic connection in both Israeli and Egyptian theology. The above is significant because during their years of slavery, the Israelites lived side-by-side with the Egyptians. The Egyptians, Hebrews and Greeks all had a word for “contentment”. The word for “contentment” is “amum” in Egyptian, “sea’pook” in Hebrew and “autarkeia” in Greek. What gets interesting is when we compare the Egyptian word “amun” with the Greek word, “amen” (which is the word we often use to conclude our prayers). While the Egyptian word, “amun” means “contentment,” the Greek word, “amen,” means “truly”, “surely”, or “let it be.” When you ponder this thought, when we conclude our prayers with the word “amen,” we are affirming our faith in the God to Whom we are praying. In essence, we are content that our prayers will surely be heard and answered by God. Few things speak more to contentment than the words, “let it be.” Without sounding trite, one of the most influential Beatles songs was entitled “Let it Be.” This song had a powerful impact that calmed down an entire generation of rebellious young people in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. The Beatles sand “Let it Be” and all was quiet–for awhile! Thank you Amanda, for such a penetrating question. I hope my answer is helpful to you. Ask me another soon. Love, Roger

Furnaces come in all shapes and sizes. Some are the fires fueled by pain and suffering. Some fires are caused by our broken world. Some fires are heated for God’s purposes. We lose our bonds in the fire. We don’t lose our eternal rewards in the flames. When unbelievers see us go through the flames and survive, they become believers in God.

Jesus describes His return in Matthew 24. Other passages in Thessalonians, Daniel’s prophecies and John’s vision in Revelation teach that Christ will come twice. He will come in secret for His saints at the rapture and with His saints to judge the earth at the end of time. Are we ready?