Going Home

Yes, it really is 2:51 a.m. as I write this particular blog post. I just returned home a while ago after being with a dear husband whose wife passed away tonight. After fifty years of marriage, he had to watch the funeral director roll the body of his beloved sweetheart out the front door of their home never to return again. Indeed, it is heart-wrenching to witness.

Before I left, I was honored to pray a prayer of comfort and assurance with the family and friends gathered to begin their grieving process. The precious wife and mother was trusting the Lord for Eternal Life, so gladness was mingled beautifully with their grief. Actually, the husband said, "Don't take me wrong, pastor, but I am actually relieved that her suffering is over." It was a clear declaration of his true compassion for his beloved.

While we have not yet entered the details of the home-going celebration service, the husband did say what song must be sung. Yes, that old hymn of the church titled "Going Home." It was his wife's favorite.

Take a listen to the song posted below and as you do breathe a prayer for my dear friends as they await reunion in Heaven.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ8sQfzuZnE&feature=related

We do not grieve as those who have no hope. -- 1 Thess. 4:13
Grateful

Kerry & Kim: 30 Years of Marriage Past, True Love Present & Dreaming for the Future

Today, my dear wife, Kim, and I, are celebrating our 30th Wedding Anniversary. I think 30 years of *"Mawwage", yes, *"Twue Wuv" between one man and one wife pretty much writes its own blog post. 30 Years of "Mawwage" Past plus "Twue Wuv" present, causes us to * "Dweam" for the future, yes, beyond 30 years.

(* "Mawwage" is the pronunciation for "Marriage", * "Twue Wuv" is the pronunciation for "True Love", and "* "Dweam" is the pronunciation for "Dream" from the hilariously funny Princess Bride Movie :-)

Here's the Movie Clip Link :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIpPCPIuJpc

Always and forever, Kim, I will love You. Because we trust God and each other, we celebrate today 30 years of marriage and true love, and we can dream for the future, yes, beyond thirty years!

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

Surrendered Heart. In Unity. We Get To.

By now, must who of you probably know that I was a professional photographer for about fifteen years before becoming a full-time minister. Though I do not use my photo skills often these days, I do publish a yearly full-color calendar titled "Surrendered Heart" and it contains photos I have taken of the places I love or have traveled in the previous year. The purpose of the "Surrendered Heart" calendar is to encourage others day-by-day, or at least month-after-month and yes, it is one way to keep my creative skills at least dusted off?

My 2010 calendars are almost totally distributed now, marking seven straight years of publishing these "Surrendered Heart" calendars. While there are thirteen color photos in each collection -- a front cover image and a monthly selection -- the final page of the calendar is the most important to me. Yes, on the back inside cover of each yearly calendar I write inspiring words that are especially close to my heart and take time to dedicate each particular calendar.

In today's blog entry, I have decided to print the words from this year's back inside calendar cover. I hope it inspires your life in some meaningful measure.

"Surrendered Heart -- We don’t have to. We get to."

True Love has a Surrendered Heart.
True love is marked by giving, not getting.
We love because we want to.

Philemon 8, is an irresistible and inspiring invitation:
“I appeal to you on the basis of love…”
In other words: “You don’t have to. You get to.”

In John 14:15, Jesus teaches us that our love is proven by our will.
Listen to His Love letter:
“If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
We do not obey Him to prove we are His.
We obey Him because we are His.

We love God so much, because He first loved us too much.
Holy God is True Love.

True Love is not a job-description. True Love is all joy-description.
True Love is not about hard and stressful, religious duty,
but holy and blissful, relational devotion.

True Love is undeniably about pleasure, not pressure --
opportunity, not obligation -- invitation, not intimidation.

I dedicate this year's calendar to the local church that has partnered
with me in Love & Unity for 16 years. We don’t have to. We get to.
Yes, to the family -- Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene --
You’re a generous people. I’m a grateful pastor. All Joy!

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! - God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful