January 31, 2012
"The gospel, applied to our hearts every day, frees us to be brutally honest with ourselves and with God. The assurance of His total forgiveness of our sins through the blood of Christ means we don't have to play defensive games anymore. We don't have to rationalize and excuse our sins. We can say we told a lie instead of saying we exaggerated a bit. We can admit an unforgiving spirit instead of continuing to blame our parents for our emotional distress. We can call sin exactly what it is, regardless of how ugly and shameful it may be, because we know that Jesus bore that sin in His body on the cross. With the assurance of total forgiveness through Christ, we have no reason to hide from our sins anymore."...
January 6, 2012
I'm at a season of life where it seems like it's time to slow down. Nothing is working quite right anymore. I need glasses for aging eyes and anti-inflammtories for aging joints. I forget names and what commonly used household gadgets are called. Solitude invites me to steal away (which I enjoy doing at times!) while a growing family and new church lovingly require me to get even busier than ever. The commercials say Benny and I should be anticipating retirement after all the years of being in the throes of parenting and pastoring. Sometimes I envy those who can....
August 17, 2018 | Tags: Death, Suffering, trials, grief, loss
I hoped I could avoid him today. But, no. I have learned to recognize his approach. Before I saw his dark grey cape and steeley eyes My stomach tightened, And I knew the stabbing pain in my heart would soon follow. "No! Not this time! I can't take you anymore!" I muttered To myself, not wanting To give him the pleasure of knowing I saw him. Confident yet q...
Keep ReadingAugust 16, 2018 | Tags: Death, Shame, grief, loss, sadness
The day after I learned my brother Jon's lifeless body had been found in his bed, I walked into a small "comfort food" restaurant. I don't like eating alonewell, I don't like doing much of anything alonebut that day it seemed like the right thing to do. As I walked into the room I saw two ladies in a booth, hands clasped, and praying. Tears welled. Seeing them praying rem...
Keep ReadingAugust 15, 2018 by | Tags: Death, grief, loss, sadness
Death is unpredictable. Sometimes it provides wearisome warnings that create deep longings for relief for the loved one who is wasting away before our eyes. Other times it comes like a sudden thunder storm that finds us running for cover from the shocking loss. On Saturday, August 4, 2018 my younger brother, Jon Mark, left suddenly and I am reeling. I keep reading our las...
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