When Life Falls Apart

I got a rare responsibility over the Christmas holidays. A final day in Albuquerque was part of our trip to visit family in New Mexico. My sister Vicki texted me in advance, wanting to know if I was willing to help her and our brother Jimmie do cleanup and maintenance on my mom’s home, which was on the market. Of course, I said, “Yes”, not because I’m so magnanimous, but because I knew they would never let me live it down if I declined. (Actually, I wanted to help; they both live close to mom and I’m often excused by distance for not being there in times like this.)

Anyway, Cathy and I loaded up that morning and followed Vicki over to the house, where we quickly were busy cleaning and repairing. That’s when they gave me the “privilege” of going through a closet of mom’s stuff. Someone needed to decide what to do with it and I, as the oldest, got the nod. (For those who don’t know, our mom is still very alive and healthy, but has moved into a retirement facility that she loves. The stuff still at her old house was left there for us to go through.) In this case, most of the “stuff” in the closet was old pictures; I was the one who went through them. That experience prompted this story.

One of those old photos was of a family who attended our church when I was a boy. During their several years in Socorro (my home town), their second son was one of my best friends. Glenn and I spent a lot of time together, often being allowed to go home with one another after church. His older brother Dennis was a couple of years our senior and thus “cool.” The family moved to Socorro with just the two boys, but God surprised their mom and dad with a pregnancy that ushered in a beautiful little girl.

It was a picture of Glenn’s parents and their little darling that awoke my memories of their story. One day the little girl got sick and had to be taken to the hospital. Glenn’s parents were fraught with distress over her condition, but no one imagined that the baby would suddenly die. A few years later, Glenn confided in me that someone had administered a wrong medication to the child. It was their family secret; in those days the idea of a lawsuit never entered the imagination. They were left with their fallen apart world. Not long after that, they moved to a city a few hundred miles away. I imagine that their grief felt more manageable in a place not associated with her death.

Glenn and I kept touch during high school. A few times he came to see me and we visited them once or twice when we were in their city. I remember the relief they felt when Glenn’s brother Dennis, who had gone into the military, got orders to Germany, rather than Viet Nam. Their parents wouldn’t have to worry about losing a second child…

…until the news arrived. Dennis was on liberty and was out boating on a lake nearby. He somehow fell off the boat and was caught by the propeller and killed.

My family attended his funeral. Glenn and I spent some time together that day and kept in touch for awhile, until we didn’t anymore. The horror and the grief I saw in his mom’s face that day has left an indelible imprint on my memory.

Almost a half century has passed since then. I have spent much of that time watching lives fall apart. Sometimes it has been my own or that of my family. How does a person get past “shattered?” That’s the question we hope to tackle as we begin our Easter series at Stone Ridge Church. The account of Jesus' last days of His earthly ministry is full of “shattered” stories. Some of them ended beautifully; others in disaster. If your life has fallen apart, this series is for you. If your friends are living in a shattered world, bring them along.

If you can’t catch us this weekend at Stone Ridge, you’ll find the podcast here!

 

Posted with Blogsy

December 31

Today's Reading
The end? It's funny, but I have read the Bible complete through over twenty times and I have never reached the end! Malachi launches us toward the New Testament. Revelation, while describing the transformation at the return of Christ, begs us to go back and discover how we get there. All of it leaves us with questions about the way it all started and that just draws us (again) through the history of it all. C. S. Lewis described our current life as not the end, but the beginning of the beginning. Tomorrow, we have the change of a day, a month and a year with one tick of the clock. That gives us the perfect impetus to start it all over again.
For you who have kept up with this Climbing adventure throughout the year, "Yayyyy" for you! Thank you for being faithful!
Malachi. These last two Old Testament chapters cover subjects that are still very much a challenge today. The first is tithing. I have seen people try all sorts of ways to salve their conscience as they refuse to tithe. They look for loopholes. The say, "I give in other ways." The bottom line is that they don't want to release control of some of their money and trust God with their finances. The promise of God's bless can't get any plainer than Malachi 3. The other issue is the destruction of families. The great promise which ends the Old Testament is that God's purpose is to restore the hearts of parents and children to each other. May we see revival in this area!
Revelation speaks of a river flowing out from God's throne. The Old Testament books of Ezekiel and Zechariah spoke of the same thing.  Psalms mentions it. Jesus said that, if we would trust Him, river of living would would flow from our inner being. God is the light! God is the source of life! He alone is worth of our worship and praise. Amen!
Psalms. Praise the Lord!!!
Proverbs. It is my privilege to know many godly women whose lives reflect this passage. I am deeply grateful for them.
As we close the year, Climbing Companion, I am grateful for you!

December 30

Today's Reading
Malachi. Here we are, at the end of the Old Testament. Our reading journey has covered over 3,500 years of recorded time. We began with the beauty of creation and saw the fall of our first human parents into sin. Now, in Malachi, we see how much it displeases God when we give Him nothing but the leftovers from our lives. His primary concern with the animal offerings wasn't that they were defective, but that the people kept the best for themselves and gave the discards to God. We -- you and I -- must watch that attitude!
Revelation. With my limited human understanding, I'm sure it was a challenge to somehow portray the new Jerusalem in a way that would help me picture its grandeur. I'm fascinated that we, Christ's followers, are the Bride of Christ!
Psalms. "5 Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them. Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds." It seems that I am often pummeled with negative thoughts -- worries, doubts and fears -- in the middle of the night. On the one hand, I believe that this is part of spiritual warfare and is "normal" for believers. On the other hand, I want to remember this verse! It's probably best that I not sing out loud (lest I wake Cathy), but I can sing in my heart!
Proverbs. It embarrasses her when I say it, but this is an apt description of my wife. She has worked hard and been diligent to provide for her family. She now carries her role as "Grammy" with a smile and a heart full of love. It has been my privilege to be married to her since 1972 and each year grows sweeter as we share life together.
As we conclude this year with readings today and tomorrow, what are you thankful for?

December 29

Today's Reading
Today's chapter of Zechariah has a direct relationship to some of what we just read in Revelation. It also picture a river flowing out of Jerusalem in the same way as Ezekiel did at the end of his writing. It's great how the Bible passages relate to one another, even though written over hundreds of years in different locations.
Revelation. The thousand year reign of Christ before the final judgment: literal or symbolic? You will find persuasive arguments on both sides by conservative Biblical scholars. I tend to think symbolic, but I will be happy however God does it!
Psalms. On the morning I wrote this, I was running alone long before daylight. I was entering the campus of the local college, which sits on the edge of the desert. Just ahead of me in the dark, the headlamp I wear caught the movement of a little bunny scurrying across the road in front of me. Those rabbits are everywhere at that time of day and I have delighted in their hippity-hoppity activities. Reading this Psalm makes me think about how they give God praise simply by living their precarious lives.
Proverbs. There is a time to speak up; a time to fight. It is for the helpless who cannot speak for themselves.
What has spoken to you today?

December 28

Today's Reading
Zechariah. "10 Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died."Obviously, this describes grief over the cries of "Crucify Him!" I'm not sure if it will signify repentance or just a recognition of their sins after it is too late to repent.
Revelation. At the Last Supper, Jesus promised, "I will not drink the fruit of the vine again until I drink it anew in my Father's kingdom." In this passage, we are given a glimpse of the coming wedding feast when all of us who know Him will share the meal with Him! Amen!
Psalms. "10 He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. 11 No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love." As you and I watch this year come to an end and we prepare for a new year, may these verses picture our lives!
Proverbs. While the New Testament gives us much freedom in areas like drinking (but not being drunk), this is a great counter-balance, with a warning to be careful. It is especially targeted at those who would lead.
What is speaking to you today?

December 27

Today's Reading
Zechariah. Today, I am more mystified than I can remember over these chapters in Zechariah. They are difficult because they speak to a variety of things that were part of different times in history. No doubt the thirty pieces of silver is about the betrayal of Christ. But the discussion of good shepherds and bad, plus God's role as a kind shepherd, then allowing evil shepherds as part of His judgment is hard to place in the history of Judah and Israel. Hmmmmm.
Revelation. Chapter 18 seems to confirm in my mind what I said yesterday about the previous chapter. Again, speculation rises and falls about "Babylon" being a specific city. If that is the case, would ancient Babylon be refurbished and become the capital of the world under the "beast"? Or is Rome the city? On the other hand, if I am correct and Babylon is actually a system of co-opting religion with the economy, then God will bring that system under His judgment. Stay tuned to the future and find out!
Psalms. "3 Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. 4 When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. 5 But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God." As we approach a new year, please pray with me that next year will bring great revival in our nation and in our world. Our hope is not in a government, nor in a powerful human being. Our hope must be in the Lord!
Proverbs. I have a friend who once went through a very scary experience because she made a mistake and tried to correct someone when she should have ignored him and kept going. We live in a day of rage. Don't thoughtlessly stir up anger.
Just a few days to go. What is God saying to you?

December 26

Today's Reading
Clearly, God showed Zechariah that Messiah was coming with peace rather than a battle cry. He would ride into Jerusalem on a colt rather than a war horse.  The ancient Philistines -- modern Palestinians -- will finally be at peace with Israel.  It's the untiring goal of every American President, but it will happen when Christ reigns.
Revelation. Who is this mysterious "prostitute," who sits on the city with seven hills? Originally, it was thought to be the old Roman Empire. I have read at least one meticulous study which claimed that this was the Catholic church. Some have said that it is ancient Babylon rising back to power. Most recently, there has been speculation that it is a new Roman Empire which is taking shape now as the European Union. I am beginning to believe that this is a spirit which manifests in slightly different ways over the ages. I spent 2009 reading "The One Year Christian History" and am appalled how the church has prostituted herself with the state over all the years since Christ. And it's not just Catholicism. In some ages and places it has been protestantism. Now, in many parts of the world, it is Islam. In the Biblical era it was Judaism. Over the centuries, virtually every nation on earth has drunk the wine of the evil spirit's immoralities!
That said, what should you and I do? Love Jesus! Know the Word and grow in our walk. Find a local church where Christ is supreme and the Word is not used as a tool to support support someone's political views. When politics is considered, learn to be loving to all on different sides of an argument. Finally, we must always -- ALWAYS -- speak and live the truth, allowing the chips to fall where they may.
Psalms. Having preached my end of year sermon (above), this verse says it well: "13 For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations."


Proverbs. I read this verse and was found guilty. Of doing both! Praise God for His grace!
We have but five days left. How are you doing?