A Time to Mourn

If you would have told me this morning that I would write two blog posts today, I would have thought you were nuts (here's the other one).  But, you would have been right.  Anyway…

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

~Romans 12:15

I knew today would be different the moment I walked into church.  We were late, and we walked into the side door as the church was singing “How Great Thou Art” in Kikaonde, the local language.  This hymn has been a favorite of mine for as far back as I can remember.  When singing the refrain, I feel as though my soul really is singing.  So even though I did not understand the language in which they were singing, I sang along in English.

But this hymn is more to me than my soul’s song to God.  It reminds me of my grandmother who passed away in 2005.  It has been 5 and a half years since she passed, but sometimes it feels like just yesterday.  At her funeral, we recessed to the choir singing “How Great Thou Art,” and now I can’t hear that song without thinking of her.  I praise God that she knew Him, but sometimes the pain of missing her comes, and I can’t help but pause and cry.

This isn’t the only song that does this to me, either.  Another favorite of mine – “Here I Am Lord” – has taken on multiple layers of emotion as well.  It is a song representative of our call into the mission field.  It has been a favorite of Tiffany’s for longer than I’ve known her.  In fact, she processed to it at our wedding.  But our wedding would not be the last time she processed to this song.

My cousin Michael was killed by a train in September of last year.  I posted a blog about it back in the fall, but the hole is still there.  At his funeral, the family processed into the sanctuary to “Here I Am Lord.”  Although I have not heard this song today, or even recently, I am daily led to prayer for my family as I have a memorial card for Michael serving as a bookmark in my Bible for my daily devotions.

So, why am I getting emotional about Grandma and Michael today?  Because I received an email this afternoon from my best friend.  His paternal grandfather passed away on Friday.  And so I am mourning with him, just as he mourned with me when I lost my grandmother and my cousin.  My heart goes out to him and his family as they look to God to comfort them during this time (which He promises to do; see Matthew 5:4).  The pain will be real, but so is the comfort they have in knowing that Grandpa Allen is with Christ in heaven.

Our prayers are with you, Allen family.  Please know that, though we cannot be with you during this time, we love you dearly and are with you in spirit.  May God wrap His arms around you, holding you close and reminding you that He is ALWAYS there.  Always.

Back to Dallas... for a weekend

There are till more entries to come in the "Series of Goodbyes" series, but those will have to wait.  Tiffany and I will be traveling to Dallas from Thursday, February 25 through Tuesday, March 2.  Please pray for us during this time, as we will be meeting with a number of individuals and groups, catching up on life, sharing our ministry, and inviting people to join our team.

And we are super excited to see all of our friends down there, too.

Random Encounters

I have to admit, I have this quirk. I love going to grocery stores like Central Market and Whole Foods just for all the yummy samples they have out. I don't usually buy anything - I just browse. So today, during my lunch break, I made my way over to Central Market.

As I finished up my rounds sampling a variety of fruits and other goodies, I heard someone say my name. I turn and look up - way up (this person was 6'5"-ish)- to see a face from years back. It was a guy who used to hang out at the country club where I was a lifeguard summer after summer in high school in Missouri. And not just any guy, but one on whom I had a huge crush summer after summer. He had gone to one of the neighboring high schools. Obviously, nothing came out of all of that... but I digress. He had only been in Dallas two days, and was staying for two weeks as part of an internship he is doing with the School of Metaphysics. Apparently, he's been going to one of the Missouri branches of this school or working at it for quite a while now - long enough that he lived on their "farm" for about 20 months.

What is this school, you ask? Well, I looked it up, and this is part of the description on the website:

"The School of Metaphysics has been teaching people how to use their minds more effectively for three decades. Through research, application and by passing on what is learned, we teach how to harmonize your Mind with Universal Principles for greater insight, happiness, security, prosperity, health, and peace. School of Metaphysics lessons teach individuals to master the whole Self, freeing them to live their full potential as an intuitive, spiritual being."

And he provided me with a brochure for their upcoming seminar and one on a course called "experiential course in the study of the mind and mastery of consciousness" - suggesting that Luke might be interested. Some of the class objectives include: learn to cause permanent healing; learn that Thought is Cause; Learn to interpret dreams in the Universal Language of Mind... You can "become eligible to attend the weekly healing class" and "participate in Peace Dome activities." The "farm" my friend lived on is really more of a commune than anything else.

Now I'm not one to judge, and I honestly think that "mastering my mind" wouldn't be such a bad thing if it helped me make good choices - like not going back for more ice cream and chocolate - but it is in attempting to master my own mind and master myself that I lose the very control I'm seeking to grasp. On the other hand, the only true freedom that allows us to live to anything near our potential, is to:

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I could say so much more. It was definitely interesting to run into an old friend in a strange place and to realize how we each have gone completely different directions than either of us would have suspected of the other when we were 16. More than anything, I am grateful that the Lord has opened my eyes to the true path to freedom - through the atoning sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, who died on the cross in my place, to cover my wretched sinfulness... and yours. I pray my friend will experience that same freedom some day. We don't have to attend a school to "discover the purpose for our existence" or work toward "self mastery," but only have to accept the freely given Grace of an Awesome God.

For He says: "I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity." (Jeremiah 29:4)

Have you experienced freedom from the capitivity of sin?