“When life hands you lemons make lemonade.”
I hate that saying. There’s truth in it, but it comes off shallow.
Of course it’s meant to encourage people when times are tough, but what about people that don’t like lemonade? What are they supposed to do?
Difficult times are sure to come no matter who you are. The question is how do you get through? How will cope with when times are tough?
Continue reading
Enough Taking a Stand… I’m Taking a Seat
I grew up in an era in which Christians everywhere were challenged to take a stand.
Take a stand for Jesus.
Take a stand for your faith. For freedom.
Take a stand for God. For your school. For marriage.
It seems like God really needs his people standing up for him.
I attended the memorial service for a friend’s father recently.
He died unexpectedly and suddenly at the young age of 61.
I’ve been to a lot of memorial services. It’s part of my job. But this one will be seared into my memory because of the unexpected beauty I found while being there.
This was an example of finding beauty in an unlikely place.
Three women; the man’s daughter, his widow and his mother were shining examples of Faith, Strength and Joy.
Continue reading
I bit my lip and swallowed more tears in those 12 minutes than I have in a long time.
I kept eye contact with the surgeon in between glances at my wife.
He talked us through the whole surgery. Calmly. Slowly. In easy to understand if not unsettlingly truthful terms.
Our five-month old son Nolan is scheduled for open-heart surgery on Tuesday January 14th.
Continue reading
As a pastor I’ve done my share of funerals.
They’re never fun.
People are hurting and are searching for answers.
Answers I wish I had, but rarely do.
This week I’m preparing to lead the memorial service of a close friend’s stepdad.
He died unexpectedly after 42 years here on earth.
Repeated heart surgeries were performed, but ultimately his body gave way.
As you can imagine the family is hurting and doing their best to comfort one another.
I’ve done my best to coach my friend through this horrible time. I’ve tried to comfort him with encouraging words. Tried to cheer him up in various ways, but the truth is I simply can’t relate to the pain he’s feeling.
I’ve never had someone really close to me pass away like he has.
After meeting with his family and planning the memorial service I’m struck by how strong his family is and how they’ve rallied together through tragedy.
I can’t help but personalize all this.
Acting strong for my friend and his family makes me feel like a bit of a fraud.
I have an infant son facing an impending open-heart surgery. How would I handle losing him? Am I willing to trust God the way this family is?
I hope so.
Until then I keep asking God for help.
Help me trust you. Help me bring comfort to others. Help me know you’re with me all the way.
