Twenty-One Gun Salute

Louie was 93. Fought in the Big War. As I looked at the memorial display of a newspaper clipping from June 4, 1944, it all seems so long ago. There was an article by General Eisenhower sending a message to the soldiers to "accept nothing less than complete victory". Our nation has certainly come a long way since that day. I think of all the lives that have been affected because of that great leadership. Freedom has cost a great deal.. for those who died and for those who lived through it.

Then I think of another war. It is the war of God for the soul. At today's memorial there were stories told of children who were picked up on a bus and brought to church. Of a Christian mother and of a dad who came to know Christ as a result and then lived out the remainder of his days in a different war... reaching people with the life-changing Gospel of Christ.

Today we said goodbye to that soldier. From a grateful nation and a grateful church, it has been a privilege to have known such a man. My prayer is that we will see more soldiers get involved in this long war for God. I hope I can say when this time comes "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

First Snow

There is something about that first blanket of winter snow. Who would have thought I would see it at the cemetery.

Jack's involvement in the UAW was "roasted" by over a dozen men who worked alongside him and heralded the "30 and out" accomplishment. Acknowledgement also came in the form of a plaque presented by Congressman Dale Kildee's representative to his sons. His 85 years of life was hard to cover in less than sixty minutes. The crowd was good, but he had obviously outlived many of his friends.

My turn came at the end. Jack's last service in church was for the message entitled "Faith to the Finish" detailing Abraham's death and legacy of faith out of Hebrews 11. Today in his memory we looked at Philippians letter when Paul proclaimed "To Die is Gain". It was a message I believe Jack would want his friends to hear. Union negotiation gains pale in comparison to the gain (or loss) of heaven. For those in attendance it is a time of eternal perspective.

A Bible had been placed in Jack's hand open to Psalm 23. I read it one last time to the family and friends assembled at the cemetery. As I drove away, I took a few pictures and am thankful that God never forgets His own. The thousands represented by the stones and flowers are now and have ever been important to our Saviour Jesus Christ. Wouldn't it be something if Jack's earthly tabernacle only rests here a few days before that soon event that will raise all those who have placed their faith in Jesus.

Even so come Lord Jesus.

Preaching is usually the easy part..

One thing about preaching that has always amazed me is to see God use His Word through a human channel to impact someone's life.

A huge part of pastoring is preaching. I love to dive into a study of a portion of God's Word. It is like walking on a spring mountain trail finding freshly ripe strawberries with sounds of a creek's rushing snowmelted water and looking up to suddenly see an antelope and her little ones running though the open field ahead.... get the picture! The discovery and surprises that God reveals through His Word that you know you will soon be able to unwrap and share with others is the joy of this preachers heart.

The other parts of the pastoring puzzle are not so easy. Counseling, budgets, building maintenance, buses, administration, planning, hospitals, funeral homes...

Today, as I prepare a funeral message for an elderly member who heard me preach for the last time just last Sunday, my heart is torn. How joyous for him as he is loosed from "the surly bonds of earth" and is now taking in celestial air in heaven. But for us who still cough in the smog of this world we have to say a tearful goodbye again. Were it not for Jesus' comforting touch and reassurance through the valley of the shadow of death, it would be more than we could bear.

Goodbye, Jack. You won't need that hearing device as you hear the heavenly choir sing glory to the King of Kings. You can throw away that watch and walk straight and strong on golden streets. I'm sure by now you have seen folks that have beat you there. I can almost hear the rejoicing and see the smiles. Maybe you have met my dad and grandpa. But what I envision most vividly is your standing face to face with our Saviour. What a joy that must be.

Preaching this Friday will not be so easy. Another reminder of how brief a vapor our lives are. The change that God's Word has caused in someone's life is now taken its greatest effect. Eternal destiny set. I hope the preaching that Jack heard from me has helped him on his last few miles of the journey. The message still hasn't changed, its only become more real. For both of us.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.