PROUD

PROUD - As I watched all of the people serve in church this past Sunday and minister to all of the new families and those in the congregation who are dealing with "stuff."

PROUD - As I watched the people of Grace work so hard at setting up the carnival afterwards, serving, and connecting with all of the many visitors that attended.

PROUD - As I watched so countless people stay after and clean up... the aftermath and then reset the church for the visitation that night and the funeral on Monday.

PROUD - As I watched so many people serve before, during, and after the funeral .... caring for the Suntken family, serving, cleaning up, and loving on the guests.

PROUD - As I watched Jeff Burpee give a wonderful, heart-felt, compassionate eulogy for Gary Suntken.

PROUD - As I watched numerous people pour out their prayers and compassion for the Rosin family during this time of unspeakable loss.

PROUD - As I watched our staff serve tirelessly over the past couple of weeks, sacrificing their time for their people and their Lord.

PROUD - As I watch the church be the church and become the church of Jesus. Great attitudes, great spirit, great commitment, great people.

PROUD - To serve as the pastor of a such a wonderful group of people ...

 

Philippians 1:3 - 7 

 

³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

 

Good Night ... Robin Williams!

Very very sad.  Today it was announced that Robin Williams, noted actor and comedian, was dead.  Some reports say due to Mr. Williams taking his own life. 





Like many of you, I have enjoyed some of the work that Robin did over the years, especially Patch Adams, Good Morning Vietnam, and Mrs. Doubtfire.  But deep below the funny man exterior, their apparently lay a deep depression and dissatisfaction with life and all of his achievements.  As Jesus said, "What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul."





Just Sunday afternoon I shared the privilege of baptizing 7 people who made a decision for eternal life with God by entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ.  While not perfect, each of the 7 is forgiven based upon the truth of God's Word.  That relationship with Jesus brings eternal salvation at the end of this life but promises an "abundant life" now with Jesus. 





A right relationship with Christ brings the Holy Spirit into our lives which empowers us to live beyond our selves and beyond our circumstances.





I know that in the past I have personally prayed for Robin Williams, wanting him to come to faith in Christ.  We are all sinners dealing with multiple layers of sin and brokenness ... and its to God's glory when we respond to His call of salvation.  Sadly, many people reject that call and decide to live and die in their sin and selfishness.  And as a result, they will face the eternal consequences for their decision to reject the Lord or their indecision to make a decision for Him.





I'm unsure of where Robin is at this moment in eternity ... my prayer is that somewhere in his life he truly made a decision for Christ.  If not, it's too late now for him to do that.





Have you?  Have you repented or turned from you life of independence from God and asked forgiveness for your sins?  If not, there is still time ... no matter how bad your present life circumstances may seem.





If you have ... then ask God to empower you to live beyond your life circumstances.  Ask God to empower you to represent Him well to those around you.





Robin ... many of us will miss your wit.  You are now standing before God Almighty.

 

YOU WILL LEAVE THE BUILDING!

"ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!" is a colloquial saying that means The Show Is Over - Go Home.

This was announced at the end of Elvis Presley's concerts to encourage fans to accept that there would be no further encores and to go home. It is now used more widely to indicate that someone has made an exit or that something is complete.

This morning I read a touching article about a couple, Don and Maxine Simpson, who had been married 62 years and died within 4 hours of each other.  In their failing health, they had been placed side by side in a hospital to spend their final days with each other.  Maxine was the first to pass away and their granddaughter described their closing moments this way, "When her body left the room, his soul left with her."  A web link to the article is at the end of the blog.**

When Elvis passed away on August 16, 1977 both his body and soul left the building.  His body is now buried at his estate in Graceland, Tennessee and his soul has taken up residence --- somewhere.  The same is true of Don and Maxine Simpson --- their bodies either buried or cremated and their souls --- somewhere.

The Bible teaches that all of mankind will die as a result of the effects of sin and that our soul / spirit will take up residence --- somewhere.  In effect, we too will "leave the building."

It makes sense to prepare for that departure.  And if we have a friend, family member, neighbor, co-worker, classmate that we care about --- we as Christians should lovingly and truthfully help them to prepare for theirs.

On our church website there several tools which will help you and those who you care about to prepare for this "departure."  I urge you to take the time to look at these and to share them with others. 

For each of us, there will come a time when it is said of us, "_(your name)_ has left the building!"

• Church web link:

http://www.gc3.org/tp40/page.asp?ID=229170

http://www.gc3.org/tp40/page.asp?ID=280681

• Article about the Simpsons:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/08/05/california-husband-and-wife-die-4-hours-apart-after-62-years-marriage/