Monday morning, September 28, 1998, my dad left his failing earthly body and ran into the open arms of Jesus. This was his favorite song...and when I asked him what songs he wanted at his funeral, he grew teary-eyed as he told me he especially wanted Blessed Assurance.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Steven Curtis Chapman "Heaven Is The Face"
Beautiful song and tribute to his little girl who is in Heaven waiting for him.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Epitaph
It seems that almost weekly a celebrity passes away. The announcements are all over the news...web sites...and social networks as people remember the various accounts of their lives and what made them famous.
People pass away...daily. Some go un-noticed as they are "mere bodies in allies". Some people will leave their "mark" forever in our minds...whether the memory is good or bad.
Death is part of life.
Some humorous epitaphs:
Here lies an Atheist
All dressed up And no place to go.
In a Thurmont, Maryland, cemetery
Here lies the body
of Jonathan Blake
Stepped on the gas
Instead of the brake.
Memory of an accident in a Uniontown, Pennsylvania cemetery
Here lies
Ezekial Aikle
Age 102
The Good
Die Young
"The best is yet to come."
Frank Sinatra
"This is the last of Earth! I am content!"
John Quincy Adams (1767 - 1848)
What could be used as your epitaph? I am not trying to be morbid. But lately I have been noticing that so many people are so wrapped up in themselves that they have forgotten about compassion, generosity, listening; simply how to be a true friend.
We focus on our stresses...our various issues in life. There is NO doubt that they are real. Take them to Jesus. Dump all of your cares on Him...then he will free you up to truly be there for others. He tells us to cast all of our cares on Him. So, obey Him and do just that. I believe He tells us that for a couple of reasons...1. He cares and will help us through; 2. So that we can be less selfish.
Selfishness is a struggle for us all. What will you be remembered for? First, have the relationship with Jesus...because there is no chance in eternity to change your destiny...then build relationships with others.
My prayer is to have a truly meaningful "epitaph" on the hearts of those I leave behind.
People pass away...daily. Some go un-noticed as they are "mere bodies in allies". Some people will leave their "mark" forever in our minds...whether the memory is good or bad.
Death is part of life.
Some humorous epitaphs:
Here lies an Atheist
All dressed up And no place to go.
In a Thurmont, Maryland, cemetery
Here lies the body
of Jonathan Blake
Stepped on the gas
Instead of the brake.
Memory of an accident in a Uniontown, Pennsylvania cemetery
Here lies
Ezekial Aikle
Age 102
The Good
Die Young
Frank Sinatra
John Quincy Adams (1767 - 1848)
What could be used as your epitaph? I am not trying to be morbid. But lately I have been noticing that so many people are so wrapped up in themselves that they have forgotten about compassion, generosity, listening; simply how to be a true friend.
We focus on our stresses...our various issues in life. There is NO doubt that they are real. Take them to Jesus. Dump all of your cares on Him...then he will free you up to truly be there for others. He tells us to cast all of our cares on Him. So, obey Him and do just that. I believe He tells us that for a couple of reasons...1. He cares and will help us through; 2. So that we can be less selfish.
Selfishness is a struggle for us all. What will you be remembered for? First, have the relationship with Jesus...because there is no chance in eternity to change your destiny...then build relationships with others.
My prayer is to have a truly meaningful "epitaph" on the hearts of those I leave behind.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Mixed Emotions
It is with a sad and glad heart that I write this. For those of us with kids attending the public schools in Michigan, we will be seeing them return to school Tuesday, September 8th.
Once again the school morning "rush hour" will begin. We will wake our children, have breakfast with them, and see them off to school. Some of us may walk or drive them on the first day...or see them off on the bus. It will be with mixed emotions I am sure. We are sad to see them go as we enjoyed our time with them so much during the summer months...yet...we are glad to see them grow up and learn.
The house will be quiet. We may enjoy that as during the summer it was "humming" with voices and laughter of our kids...and ALL of their "busy-ness". Honestly, I shed a few tears every first day of the school year. I love to be home with my boys. I enjoy the conversations, being outdoors with them, playing basketball with Jesse, having Caleb's friends over...all of it.
So now we must encourage our kids this school year. We need to keep their focus not only on doing the best that they can in school but also to build relationships that matter. We need to encourage them to be friends with those who are not the most popular or well-liked student...students who need a real friend.
We need to encourage them to defend their beliefs in a manner that will be taken well by their educators. Having an open communication with our kids will help them when they need to talk about an issue they are having with a teacher or a topic that is being taught. Our kids need to be well-informed...and know that as Proverbs says, "a soft answer turns away wrath". In saying this, I am suggesting that your kids KNOW and be INFORMED of what they may have issues with in learning...but to then confront the issue with the teacher or other students in a manner that will be stressing their beliefs and knowledge in a non-confrontational way.
I encourage you to find the time with your child after he/she gets home from school to listen to how their day went. Each child needs time to "unload". I also encourage you to find time for family prayers and looking into The Word of God.
May you have a blessed school year. I pray that our children are safe in our public schools...safe: physically, mentally, and emotionally. That is how I pray for my boys...for God's protection in ALL of those ways. (not necessarily always in school but throughout life).
May God Bless and Keep you Strong in Him!
Once again the school morning "rush hour" will begin. We will wake our children, have breakfast with them, and see them off to school. Some of us may walk or drive them on the first day...or see them off on the bus. It will be with mixed emotions I am sure. We are sad to see them go as we enjoyed our time with them so much during the summer months...yet...we are glad to see them grow up and learn.
The house will be quiet. We may enjoy that as during the summer it was "humming" with voices and laughter of our kids...and ALL of their "busy-ness". Honestly, I shed a few tears every first day of the school year. I love to be home with my boys. I enjoy the conversations, being outdoors with them, playing basketball with Jesse, having Caleb's friends over...all of it.
So now we must encourage our kids this school year. We need to keep their focus not only on doing the best that they can in school but also to build relationships that matter. We need to encourage them to be friends with those who are not the most popular or well-liked student...students who need a real friend.
We need to encourage them to defend their beliefs in a manner that will be taken well by their educators. Having an open communication with our kids will help them when they need to talk about an issue they are having with a teacher or a topic that is being taught. Our kids need to be well-informed...and know that as Proverbs says, "a soft answer turns away wrath". In saying this, I am suggesting that your kids KNOW and be INFORMED of what they may have issues with in learning...but to then confront the issue with the teacher or other students in a manner that will be stressing their beliefs and knowledge in a non-confrontational way.
I encourage you to find the time with your child after he/she gets home from school to listen to how their day went. Each child needs time to "unload". I also encourage you to find time for family prayers and looking into The Word of God.
May you have a blessed school year. I pray that our children are safe in our public schools...safe: physically, mentally, and emotionally. That is how I pray for my boys...for God's protection in ALL of those ways. (not necessarily always in school but throughout life).
May God Bless and Keep you Strong in Him!
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