The Hope of Heaven

April 8, 2009 by 6 Comments

5778017519_bedafb19ed_zWhat does Easter weekend hold for you this year? Ours will be starting differently than ever before. Sadly, Don’s Aunt Ruth (his dad’s sister) passed away a few days ago, and we’ll be attending a funeral on Good Friday. As we talked about it the other day, we realized that this will be a first for both of us.

We, of course, think about death each year on Good Friday as we remember Christ’s death on the cross, but never before have we said “good-bye” to someone on this special day of remembrance. One might think that sadness would be multiplied, but on the contrary, I think the hope of heaven will shine ever brighter as we remember how Christ paid the penalty for our sins so that we can spend eternity in heaven with Him if we’ll believe in Him and ask Him to be our Savior.

Yes, there will be sadness at saying “good-bye” that day, especially for Aunt Ruth’s children and grandchildren, but O how great is the comfort, the joy, in knowing that she is already at home with the Lord. The comfort in knowing that for all who believe there awaits a great reunion. The comfort of heaven. The comfort of a Father, a Friend.

This Friday, as you remember with sadness the ultimate sacrifice the Lamb of God made on our behalf, may you also rejoice at the hope His perfect sacrifice birthed in our world and in our hearts. May the hope of heaven shine ever brighter for you this Easter weekend!

“‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'” John 3:16

Flickr photo by Sean MacEntee, Creative Commons License

**Update on Don’s mom — amazingly, her kidney function continues to improve! She, of course, is still considered to be in renal failure, but she is doing better! We joke that she is our Energizer Bunny — she just keeps going and going! :)

Filed Under: comfort, family, heaven, holidays

A Forecast You Can Count On

March 11, 2009 by 6 Comments

forecastBelieve it or not, I got to sneak out of town for the day yesterday. Even though my mother-in-law’s lab results Monday showed that her condition is getting even worse, she seemed somewhat stable yesterday morning. I decided to take a chance and head to Tulsa to tend to errands and, more importantly, to attend the writers group I’ve had to miss in both January and February. I told the assisted living staff and the infusion clinic staff how to reach Don in case of an emergency, and I scooted out the door.

Since we’ve reached that time of year when you never quite know how to dress here in the Kansas/Oklahoma area, I paid close attention to the 10 o’clock Tulsa weather report on Monday night. The forecast called for a warm day on Tuesday with a high of 82 before a cold front would start moving in around 5 p.m. Since my FCW group meets in the evenings, I made a mental note to throw a jacket in the car and not to count on flip-flops seeing me through the entire day. I even checked the TV station’s weather report online the next morning just to be on the safe side. Same report.

Who knew a jacket and shoes and socks would prove to be such a lifesaver that day. The cold front snuck in by late morning, and the only time my flip-flops saw any action was when I put them on for my date with DSW. And no, I didn’t find any shoes. Darn! :)

Weathermen, I’m sure, do their best to give us up-to-date, accurate weather forecasts, but sometimes we just can’t count on forecasts. The weather has a way of proving to us every now and then that it has a mind of its own. Just when we think we’ve got it figured out, it makes our piggies scramble for cover.

Today I want to share a forecast with you that you can count on. It’s straight out of the Word of God, and because of that, it’s true. It’s 100% accurate — and it’s reliable. You won’t be left out in the cold if you’re trusting in him. May God bless the reading of his Word.

“‘And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.'” John 14:3 (Jesus speaking).

“‘Behold, I am coming soon!'” Revelation 22:7a (Jesus speaking).

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Flickr photo by aussiegall, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: heaven, nature, preparation, trust

Coming Soon

January 28, 2009 by 3 Comments

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some fun. I’ve got an extra special giveaway up my sleeve for February so just wanted to give you a heads-up to watch for my next post. That’s right — the fun is coming soon!

Also coming soon is the second issue of Life Notes, my inspirational newsletter. If you haven’t yet signed up to receive it, I hope you will today (sign-up to the right). It’s free and is sent out quarterly at this point. This issue will feature a theme of perseverance, and believe it or not, I prepared it in early January before our current situation calling for a special brand of perseverance landed in our laps. I pray that something in this issue will encourage you in your current circumstances.

So there you have it — fun and encouragement both coming soon! But that’s not all.

I can’t think about things that are coming soon without thinking about our Savior. In the last chapter of the last book of the Bible, Jesus himself said, “‘Behold, I am coming soon!'” (Revelation 22:12a), and as if to reassure us, he says again in the next to last verse of our Holy Scriptures, “…’Yes, I am coming soon.'” (22:20). With that promise ringing in my ears, I join John, the author of Revelation, and respond with “Come, Lord Jesus.” (22:20b).

“…’Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…'” Revelation 21:3-4

p.s. No big change with my mother-in-law to report. All prayers still appreciated!

*Flickr photo by bjohnsonjewelry

Filed Under: fun, giveaway, heaven, preparation, writing

Together Again

July 6, 2008 by 8 Comments

Mission “Together Again” accomplished! Our kids, along with Dennis and Teri’s kids, made it into town as planned for our 4th of July reunion, and let me tell you, it was sweet — and I’m not just talking chocolate sheet cake and homemade ice cream sweet :) Hugs, catch-up conversation, laughter, sugar highs, and fireworks abounded. (Thanks, Doug [aka Punk Boy] and Shawn for working your magic again!) We even went inside and capped the evening off with a ridiculously hilarious game of Catch Phrase. I’m sure one particular player set a record for the longest, most round-about clues ever given while playing this game. I wasn’t going to mention names, but what the heck — Doug, you are one crazy clue-giver! :)

I know the photo above makes us look like a rather sedate group, but don’t be fooled. That was our “normal” pose. We also took a shot where we showed our true colors, but I foolishly promised not to use that one on the blog. Believe me, you would have gotten a kick out of it, but since I cherish my friends and family, I am restraining myself. After all, I don’t want to ruin my chances of enjoying another “together again” reunion with this gang in the future :)

On a more serious note, we experienced another reunion today that was not at all in our plans. Mom called on the 4th with the news that Dena, a dear friend of our family for 45 years now, had passed away. When I was growing up, Dena and her family were to me what Dennis and Teri and their family have been to our girls. We joined Mom and Dad in going to the family visitation this afternoon so we could say “good-bye” to Dena and minister in some small way to her husband and kids — our long-time friends Paul, Diane, Paula, and Robert.

So there we were, together again…though bittersweet this time. As I walked into the chapel, the full scope of this reunion unfolded before me. Not only did I see Dena’s family, but also friend after friend from my growing up years. Since she and her family attended the same church we attended so long ago, we had many of the same friends. And there they were today, to say good-bye and honor her memory. Everyone together again… everyone comforted in knowing that a grand reunion awaits us in heaven.

Friends are treasures beyond measure, whether celebrating and having fun together or comforting each other in sad times. Yes, I am rich. I thank God for my treasures. I pray that you are rich as well.

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3)

Filed Under: comfort, Friend, fun, heaven, holidays, love, memories

Reunion Highlights

June 4, 2008 by 10 Comments

Is this a good-looking bunch or what?! I just had to share with you this prized keepsake from our family reunion. Believe it or not, this is a timed photo. Shawn (now designated our family photographer!) got us all arranged, focused the shot, set the timer, and ran for his spot at the top of the stairs. It only took a couple of tries, with everyone quickly “parting the waters” and then shifting back into position before we landed this picture. Pretty amazing, huh? I think I’ll chalk it up to the grace of God!

And speaking of the grace of God, He granted us an absolutely wonderful family reunion! He blessed with everyone being able to come, safe travel, good weather when we needed it, well-behaved kids, sweet fellowship, and last, but not least, lots of great photo opportunities :)

I can’t tell you how much I love this group of people. In fact, I get teary-eyed just looking at the picture. We enjoyed such great moments together this past weekend. The reunion was not just an “event”, it was personal. We got to hug each other again, introduce and embrace new family members, catch up on news, laugh and play games together, indulge in inside jokes and stories, makes scenes wherever we went, and pray together as we shared meals. (And yes, the tears are rolling down my cheeks now!)

One of my favorite moments happened quite spontaneously on our second evening together. We were about to call it quits for the day when my nephew Aaron brought up an infamous story from the early days of his Uncle Don’s and Aunt Cheryl’s marriage. That story still gets laughs every time. Before we knew it, more stories from the past were being recounted — for our own amusement, yes, but also for the benefit of those new to the family.

Kristin quickly realized that something extraordinary was taking place and whipped out their video camera to record this impromptu oral family history (thanks, Kristin!). Without consciously deciding to do it, we found ourselves keeping these stories alive for another generation. Definitely a highlight of our reunion, I would say.

It actually made me think of scriptures like Psalm 78:4 that exhort us to “tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.” We need to keep our God-stories alive, too, don’t we?

I can’t help but wonder… Do you think perhaps we’ll be sitting around one day at that grand reunion in heaven telling stories on God? Reminding each other of the mighty things He did for us on earth? Imagine it with me now. Another reunion highlight. Thank You, Lord!

**For those of you who are trying to figure out who everyone is in the picture, here you go:
On the steps from the bottom up: Gavin (my sister Carolyn’s youngest), Lyndsey (my nephew Adam’s wife); Emmalyse (Adam & Lyndsey’s new baby!); then left to right going up – Cody (Carolyn’s oldest) and Adam (my sister Debbie’s son); Joanna (my sister Janice’s daughter) on the next row by herself; our daughters Kelli and Kristin next to my mom, Charlene;

Back row: Keith (Debbie’s husband), Samuel (Aaron & Monica’s son), my sister Debbie, our son-in-law Shawn, Monica (my nephew Aaron’s wife), Aaron (Debbie’s son); my sister Janice, my dad Duane, me, my husband Don, my sister Carolyn, and her husband Dave.

Filed Under: blessing, family, fellowship, heaven, joy, love, memories
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