Revitalize Your Church

UNDER the wide and starry sky Dig the grave and let me lie: Glad did I live and gladly die, And I laid me down with a will. This be the verse you 'grave for me: Here he lies where he long'd to be; Home is the sailor, home from the sea, And the hunter home from the hill. --  Robert Louis Stevenson

Russell D. Moore is just dead wrong on this one . (No pun intended.) It's an article in Christianity Today, opposing the practice of cremation. Seems to me, he's making much ado about nothing., and I'm frankly surprised the CT folks bothered to print it. Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. From dust we come, and to dust we shall return. There's absolutely nothing wrong with speeding up the process! (A little kid remarked, "There's somebody either coming or going underneath my bed!") God is certainly BIG enough to handle the resurrection of cremated bodies (Moore grants this in the article.) It felt to me like this article was putting unnecessary yokes on people's shoulders. Seems to me, people should do what is best for their situation. If you prefer to do the full casket and burial for your loved one, that's fine and dandy. You should do it. There are certain advantages to that approach, and most stem from tradition. However, it's wrong to chastise ...

One year ago today, our young friend, Leah Conner, passed away. It was one of the most heartwrenching days I've ever experienced as a pastor. A lot has happened over these past twelve months. Sometimes it seems like an eternity since Leah's death. At other times, it seems like just yesterday. Please pray for Leah's family on this day of remembrance.

I wrote about my friend, Fred, a couple of days ago. This morning, at 5:00 a.m., he passed away. I'm so thankful to have had the opportunity to be his friend and to be near him during his final days. Fred loved Elvis, so the last couple of times we visited, I concluded our conversation with a some "Elvis hymns." Needless to say, I'm no Elvis Presley. Fred and Judy have dogs and parrots. The first time I sang, the dogs howled. The second time, the parrots screeched. Fred really enjoyed it -- and that's what counts. It doen't matter what the dogs and parrots thought! I think we'll do Peace in the Valley for his memorial service next week.

Yesterday morning, I was called to the bedside of my friend, Fred, who is dying of cancer. I was deeply honored that he had invited me to come and enter this part of his life with him. I wasn't sure where Fred stood spiritually, and prayed all the way to his house that a door would open, and that I would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's promptings. I didn't want to be pushy -- but I knew Fred needed assurance and peace. The Lord arranged everything beautifully. We were able to talk deep. I shared several verses of Scripture, sang a few hymns, and prayed. God was present. The whole room was filled with love. At the end of our conversation, Fred shared a clear testimony of his faith -- that he is trusting in the Lord completely. I don't know how many days my friend has left upon this earth -- but I do know the peace of God will sustain him. This Sunday, we're going to light the faith candle for Fred.

A few weeks ago, I received the sad news that my friend, Shirley, had died unexpectedly. She and her husband, Dannie, were pillars of our church before they moved to Missouri a few years ago. I immediately called Dannie on the phone. "Dannie, I heard the news about Shirley and I'm so sorry." Dannie was glad to hear from me. I continued, "I want you to know that all of your friends up here in the northwoods are praying for you." "I can tell," he replied, "I've been amazed at the peace and strength I've had all the way through this terrible ordeal. It has been just unbelievable. How could I possibly have such peace at a time like this? Then I thought, 'I know why! Someone is praying for me..'" Dannie continued, "You know, Pastor Mark, light travels at 186,282.397 miles per second. But I've discovered something that travels even faster than that! It's the prayers of God's people!!" "Losing Shirle...

Very early this morning, I was at the hospital with a dear couple who delivered a premature, stillborn baby. In their grief, they looked to me, for answers that made some kind of sense. I didn't know what to say. There are no words sufficient for such a heart wrenching experience. It was so sad. They asked me to baptize little LeAnn Marie. Surrounded by her loved ones, I held this precious infant in my arms, blessed her, baptized her and committed her into the loving arms of Jesus. She was so fragile . . . yet beautiful and definitely cherished. Please pray for LeAnn's mommy and daddy, as they walk the dark valley of grief. As I drove home a little while ago, the hymn, "Children of the Heavenly Father" came to my mind: Children of the heav’nly Father Safely in His bosom gather; Nestling bird nor star in Heaven Such a refuge e’er was given. God His own doth tend and nourish; In His holy courts they flourish; From all evil things He spares them; In His mighty arms...

I received the sad news, yesterday, that Beulah Heavilin passed away. Many years ago, her husband, John, served as pastor of Hayward Wesleyan Church. Beulah ministered faithfully beside him. Then, she began to suffer from crippling rheumatoid arthritis, which severly limited her physical ability and caused much pain. Still, Beulah was able to pray and love. For decades, her dear husband, John, devoted himself to caring for her. Instead of serving in a church, he served his wife, which was the higher calling. I happened to teach alongside their outstanding senior pastor, Steve DeNeff, last week. We prayed together for John and Beulah -- and both agreed that this selfless servant stands as a tremendous example to us. The love and care John demonstrated towards his ailing wife is the ultimate definition of success. Now, Beulah is free. All the pain and suffering is over. Safe in the arms of Jesus! Free from all the limitation. Free to move without pain! Please pray for John, and B...

Tomorrow, I will be conducting the funeral service for Oliver, a 22 year old, who was a part of our youth group, and attended our church on many occasions. I really liked O. J. We always got along well with each other. He was a bright and friendly young man, full of vibrant life. His unexpected death is still a mystery. He just didn't show up for work for a couple of days -- and those who went to check on him, found he had died in his sleep. O. J.'s daddy is a member of our congregation. My heart breaks for this precious family in their hour of darkest sorrow. In times like this, we are left bewildered. It is in regard to this sort of confusion that Larry Crabb writes: Our shattered dreams are never random. They are always a piece in a larger puzzle, a chapter in a larger story. Pain is a tragedy. But it's never only a tragedy. . . The journey to joy takes us through shattered dreams. (Crabb, Shattered Dreams)

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.