Eternity

This has been quite a week. On Tuesday morning we received a phone call that a teenager from our church had died in an automobile accident on Monday afternoon. It is so sad. The joy is that she is with our Savior. She left behind a lasting legacy of the joy that she showed in our Lord. She leaves behind her parents and 4 sisters. She would have graduated from high school this May and was buried in her cap and gown.
My friend Wes, who plays keyboards, Aunt died yesterday of a stroke. She had just been diagnosed with Leukemia about 2 weeks ago.
My teen-age friend, Big John, suffered a great loss. His Grandmother passed away yesterday. His grandparents are raising him. He is 17 I think.
Please pray for all of these families and friends in their loss.

Church was really wonderful today. Decisions were made for Christ, our Pastor's message was on the reality of eternity. I think it struck home with alot of people in light of this weeks' events.
The passage was from Luke Chapter 16 beginning with verse 19:

Luk 16:19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.

Luk 16:20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores

Luk 16:21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

Luk 16:22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.

Luk 16:23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

Luk 16:24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

Luk 16:25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.

Luk 16:26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

Luk 16:27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house,

Luk 16:28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

Luk 16:29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

Luk 16:30 ” ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

Luk 16:31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”

This all goes back to...we are not promised tomorrow. Tell Everyone about Jesus NOW! Live each day as if it is your last. Let your loved ones know that you love them Be the person that Jesus wants you to be right now! Al and I were discussing the differences between worldly happiness and true joy yesterday. This is the best way I have to describe it to you:

Joy: a deep-seated satisfaction that leaves one's heart content in what God has given and done for us.
It is a Joy that is both Inexpressible and Glorious/Exultant. Inexpressible means there are no words to describe it. What has happened to us is so exciting, so awesome, we are speechless.

We live in a sad world--a world of despair, depression, lack of fulfillment, and dissatisfaction. Man defines happiness as an attitude of satisfaction and delight based upon present circumstances. He relates happiness to happenings and happenstance. It is something that can't be planned or programmed.

Biblical joy consists of the deep and abiding confidence that all is well regardless of circumstance and difficulty. It is something very different from worldly happiness. Biblical joy is always related to God and belongs only to those in Christ. It is the permanent possession of every believer--not a whimsical delight that comes and goes as chance offers it opportunity.

A good definition of joy is this: it's the flag that flies on the castle of the heart when the King is in residence. Only Christians can know true and lasting joy.

A Christian's joy is a gift from God to those who believe the gospel, being produced in them by the Holy Spirit as they receive and obey the Word, being mixed with trials with a hope set on future glory. The belief that one is part of a Process or Plan that extends beyond one's own needs and aspirations, that will have a positive impact on other peoples' lives, and will continue after one's death.

These are the words to "Steal My Joy" by Mandisa, she was an American Idol contestant who did not win. She used to sing at Beth Moore Conferences and she has now released a Christian album.

I look at my life
And I still can't believe it
How did I make it
To where I stand now?
You don't understand
I was up against the whole world
And all I could feel was it breaking me down
But out of a hopeless situation
There came a song of redemption

Life may push my heart to the limit
But I won't let go
Of the joy in my soul
'Cause everything can change in a minute
And the world may try
But they're never gonna steal my joy

So get up, stand up
And rise above it
If every plan
That you've made goes so wrong
You don't have to give in to the struggle
You may be down
But don't stay there for long
In every hopeless situation
There is a song of redemption

The world may say
You're never gonna make it
The world may say
You're not strong enough to take it
But I don't care
'Cause the joy of the Lord is real
And they're never gonna steal my joy

If Jesus is in your heart, then there is Joy! If he is in the heart of your family and friends the joy is immeasuarable. We all know at least one person who doesn't (or has refused to) accept Jesus, let us all pray that these people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

I went to my doctor Wednesday and my medications were changed again. We even added a new one..........oh boy. I'll be fine it is just disturbing that the thing that makes me feel functional, (steroids) also causes multiple other problems. I know that God is in control and all will be fine.


I am truly frightened about the state of our government. I cannot imagine an Obama or Clinton Presidency. That really frightens me. I like Mike! I could deal with McCain or Paul. I don't know how it is going to end up but I know who does. Please feel free to comment.