Monthly Archives: January 2009

Followers of Jesus should be stepping behind him in faith… its like Peter in the boat… the boat was safe… but Peter knew that Jesus was offering more… and that he could not receive this while he was in the boat… so he had to get out of the safety of the boat… he had to look at Jesus and walk, by faith, on the water…

what is my/your/our boat?

where does Jesus want to lead us if we would just get out of the boat?

While at the local law school with students, I saw and visited with a student of yore who is now an attorney. As I heard about his experiences in defence work, I became aware of the fact that even defendants who admit their guilt to their lawyer want to be cared for, to have someone advocate for them in court. There is a spiritual principle at work here too. I am guilty and Christ is my advocate… He also took my punishment, reconciling me with the Judge.

Last night I learned of an acquaintance from some years back whose life had come to an end. I read the obituary for this young person and realized what I always do when I hear of such, the deep pain that the family and friends are left with when this one is gone. The questions they are faced with at the loss of this beloved person.

Many years ago in another city, I got a call after midnight from a friend who said “I need your help.” I dressed and went to visit a family whose daughter had died suddenly. The whole foundation of this family was cracked beyond human understanding and repair. A deep and profound sadness enveloped all who were connected to these people. Of course they all asked why? They began to second-guess their actions, words, intentions and even faith. Heavy weeping was endured in the presence and company of friends. I was asked by the family “Where is our child now?” I answered as best as a human can, that no man can truly know the heart of another human being, but God does. I told them that God was kind. God is compassionate. God hears every word that is thought and prayed and God even understands the confusion in the mind which one doesn’t even understand himself.

We are all sometimes confused by life and its pain and brokenness and we don’t even know our own thoughts, but God does. God gets it. God cares. God is there at the end, knowing the heart and intentions of every human being and he is  extending grace to those who somehow embrace  his infinite compassion, even if they don’t quite understand what is going on… God does understand. God loves.

At the end of his life, Jesus looked over to a man whose own life was ending and gave him hope. Years ago when this young life ended, Jesus was waiting, with understanding, with comfort, not judging, but allowing, and he was present.

Those who are left behind may do what the mother of the young woman did those many years ago, embrace Jesus’ offer of comfort in the midst of  hurt. 

This world is full of broken people, God gets that. God cares. That’s why Jesus came. That’s why he lived and suffered. To suffer as we have. To suffer as we do. 

When we hurt because of a suffering friend or one who is gone, please know that Jesus cares and wants to bring you peace through the grace he offers. He is right there in the midst of our hurt. He wishes to embrace you with his love and care. He wants to give us comfort in the midst of hurt.

Reach out to him, and accept his offer of peace from grace and he will give you comfort in the midst of hurt.

This morning I heard a great devotion (by the DOC!) in which we were challenged to think of resolutions with resolve. It was suggested that the word resolve has more steel to it than does resolution. I agree.

I’m not actually much on New Years resolutions. But in light of the question about progress in the last post, I resolve to seek a closer, deeper and more meaningful walk with the Lord and have more significant relationships with His children.

Last night after the sermon, the pastor asked a question that goes something like this, “Are you closer to God than you were a year ago?”

There are a lot of variations on this question. In conversation after the sermon, one guy said no, I commented to him that its better to ask and know that the answer is no, than not to ask and live a life of not knowing where you are.

So, are you closer?

Ask yourself and be honest – with yourself. It it then that progress may begin.

so in keeping with family holiday tradition (no, Laci, not running through celebratory AK-47 fire as did you) we all went to the movies… J and I wanted to see Valkurye (sp ? sorry, I’m on the Palm today) and since it was her last night before returning to Bp, mom and P of A agreed and we took D the history man along. Even though Doug (of the ‘ville not Vac) told me tons about it, there were still tons of surprises and great drama.
This is a film that was LOOOONG overdue. It shows that there were German leaders who had integrity and willingness to make hard decisions to seek justice in the midst of the horror and atrocity of WW2 Germany. It would be well worth your time and money to see this film.