Posts Tagged ‘ Mother ’
A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
John 10:10, CSB
God wants to give us all good things according to His will, while those who oppose God restrict, mar, and damage what should be good. God offers life and the ability to truly desire what is truly good and to promote goodness.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9, CSB
God wants to give us all good things according to His will, most of all the forgiveness, grace, and righteousness of Christ when we give Him our sins.
“This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.”
John 15:12, CSB
God wants to give us all good things according to His will, and His will is found in loving Him by loving others and especially loving the Church.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:24, CSB
God wants to give us all good things according to His will, and that begins by giving up our own desires for God’s will and desires, giving us a family in Christ and eternal peace and life to be shared with others.
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.
Romans 8:11, CSB
God wants to give us all good things according to His will, and that includes the hope of eternity and power to live for today.
“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Matthew 12:50, CSB
God wants to give us all good things according to His will, and that includes a family who is united in the love, grace, forgiveness, and Christ.
I got to thinking this past week about my mom. She would have been 63 yesterday.
My brother’s 10th anniversary was on Tuesday. They got married in a large room down the hall from mom’s room in the hospital, because we knew, barring some super-amazing miracle, she was going home to Jesus. The hospital staff was amazing, clearing the room and helping with decorating and some of the food. (A celebration of love and life is probably very welcome in that ward!)
10 years later, my brother and his wife have a house, some pets, and two rambunctious and adorable boys (the oldest starting Kindergarten this month.)
I think about that mom got to see me start teaching in Special Education (self-contained autism classroom), but she missed my then going on to get a masters in education and teaching 7th Grade Algebra and later some courses at Grand Canyon University (GCU).
She missed that I not only grew to enjoy coffee but become a barista and business owner.
She missed when I entered paid ministry as a Youth Pastor (and eventually an elder for my congregation) . Add to that the apologetics speaking I routinely do, including a YouTube channel to go with this blog, and eventually achieving a dream of teaching at a college, specifically Christian Worldview at GCU.
There are many things I know she would have loved to see happen in my life that I wish I could share with her.
But I also remember all the conversations had 10 years ago with people who used to “hate God and religion” but had come to faith or at least became more friendly toward Christianity all because of her. That had been her just 14 years before that. (Take it from one who took a lot of her badgering and questions!)
I remember seeing a church filled to standing room only to celebrate her life and share more of those stories.
I like to think there was so much more she could have done in this world, but I’ve talked with hundreds of those lives God used her to change. I think the fact that I have been used to impact hundreds of lives, and I talk about the role she played in that with many of them.
Do I miss my mom?
Absolutely! Is it everyday? Not anymore. Some days are so busy that I barely have time to remember my own needs! (Youth Pastor/Elders, Worldview instructor, and back in seminary.) But most days she is remembered. Even by friends who barely met her or only talked to her on the phone.
Actually, more often than not, I think about the fun we could have in any moment, how she would have responded to a situation, and – most importantly – the fun we’ll have in eternity.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. [14] For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, ESV
Her legacy definitely continues through many who still praise God because of her life and so many other reasons, and, if not for her, I wouldn’t be here. I thank God for her life and the glory of God that is spread because of her life.
Was she perfect? Absolutely not! But she drew near to God for the last 13 years of her life, and that has made her perfect in Christ’s righteousness.
I long for the day we can praise God together face to face.
“And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”
Malachi 4:6, ESV
It can seem the world is getting worse all the time.
Yet, God has called us to show His mercy by praying that He will draw fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, whole families together and to Him.
Pray God’s mercy and grace on our world and our hearts and minds.
“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Ephesians 6:2-3, ESV
We honor as parents as fellow image-bearers of God, but also because the Holy Spirit leads us to love them as a sign of our love for our heavenly Father and His Son who loved Him and died for us.
“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Ephesians 6:2-3, ESV
God’s promises are mostly conditional in that disobedience has natural consequences, and obedience can reap supernatural rewards in Christ.
a simple man of God 