Safe

"God is looking for men in whose hands His glory is safe." -A.W. Tozer

Take Me Home

“A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.” -Charles Spurgeon

I was asked by our friends to lead a very informal funeral service this past Saturday for the wife’s father who had just passed away. To be quite honest, I really didn’t want to do it because the one-year anniversary of my own father’s passing was still fresh on my heart. I recognize though that his memory will always be on my heart and that God had put this opportunity in front of me for a reason. I told my buddy that I had never done anything like that before, but that I would be honored if that’s what they really wanted. I was glad that they trusted me enough to speak into their lives on something as important as the summation of their father’s life. I honestly believe that no man can preach another man’s funeral better than that man can preach his own during his lifetime but I gave it my best shot.

The man that I was privileged enough to share on was a very honorable man who loved his family dearly. I was fortunate enough to have met him and have shared a meal with him a few different times. I was considerably nervous as I was asked to encapsulate his entire existence in a short 15-20 minute span but I did my best to honor our friends father in a God-honoring way.

As I was preparing for this day I was thinking through how God has literally written each of our names on his hands through the scars of Jesus. But like children that don’t always obey or listen to our parents we sometimes we get sidetracked and lost. It’s unfortunate that the only time that we really search our souls on the great meanings of life, eternity, and God are in the times of great tragedy, sadness, struggles, or death. We don’t do it in the good times and in the seasons when we’re basking in the sun. In those times we tend to just enjoy ourselves and give ourselves the credit for our successes. However, I think that in the difficult times we end up realizing that we truly have no control of eternity and that we do have to put our trust in Someone greater.

I heard a friend tell a story one time about a blind piano player. My friend would go to this particular club and listen to him every so often and after a few weeks of hearing this genius on the keys he struck up a conversation with the man. Their relationship grew and over time my friend continued witnessing this amazing talent. He finally asked the blind piano player something that had been on his mind. “Why do you always wait outside the club after you’re finished playing?” The man responded by saying that although he did have great knowledge and skill on the piano that he still had to trust in someone else to take him home.

As I process through this past week and even this past year, I am so grateful that our trust and faith in Jesus and His promises are what takes us home and not our knowledge and skill.

No Other

"I wish that our ministry—that mine especially—might be tied and tethered to the cross. I have no other subject to set before you but Jesus only." -Charles Spurgeon

Not Yet

"When I lay these questions before God I get no answer. But a rather special sort of "No answer." It is not the locked door. It is more like a silent, certainly not uncompassionate, gaze. As though He shook His head not in refusal but waiving the question. Like, "Peace, child; you don't understand."" --C.S. Lewis in A Grief Observed

Leila's 1st

"I'm so glad she looks like her Mom. Happy 1st birthday Leila Grace Gal!"