Communion

Tears filled my eyes as I looked down at the bread and the little plastic cup I held in my hand.  To some it looks funny, and maybe weird, but to me it brought me great joy.  It's the tradition of the church to remember the body of Christ and his death on the cross and his blood spilled, the cup, for the sins of his people.  I have done this several times in my life, but last night it hit me differently.  I really don't remember a time in my life where the cup passed me.  Where the bread didn't mean something to me.  Although I've been very vocal about my struggle with the church and my frustrations with some of it's teachings, I can't deny the incredible amount of grace that God has had on me in my life.  The sorrow, the pain, the frustration that he has kept me from.  I don't have the stories that some do.  I don't know what life is like without the Holy Spirit.  I was too young to remember it.  Yes, sanctification is difficult at times, but that is not God's fault, it's mine.  It's my sin that is the problem.  

So I take this moment to thank God for his church, his body, and his blood.  He has never done me wrong.  He has never steered me in the wrong direction.  He has always been far better to me than I deserve or would have been to myself.  He is all about my true joy and satisfaction and will stop at nothing to give that to me.  Thank you Jesus for your death.  Thank you for your imparting of righteousness to me.  Thank you that sitting in church isn't weird to me.  It's very comfortable.  Thank you for giving me parents that believe in you and did their best to shepherd my heart towards you.  Thank you for your songs, hymns, and words.  I've been singing them since I was a little boy.  I've known your words from a very early age, your scriptures are a joy to me.  

And this was all under no merit of my own.  I don't deserve any of it.  Yet, I can't remember a time where your grace hasn't been upon my head.  You continue to give, you continue to sanctify, you continue to save.  The greatest trade man will ever know; my sin for your righteousness.  What grace you've had for me!  

Death

Azzi,

You went to your first funeral at 4 months of age.  We have a friend that lost their dad to cancer while he was in his early 50's.  A long life for some but much shorter than any would like.  I remember going off to take you away from the crowd as they were about to put his casket in the ground.  I looked at you and told you, "You're going to die someday Azzi"  Kind of wierd and awkward to say that to your daughter, but it is the reality for every human being.  There will come a time when you no longer will be a part of this earth.  We have no idea how many days we have here on this earth, I pray God grants you a long, beautiful life.  I wanted to mention  a few things that were on my heart:  Jesus Christ conquered the grave.  As a believer we need not fear death.  I'm sure that is weird thing to say and still very difficult for most Christians.  But it is true.  This life is not it.  There is more.  Eternity awaits all people.  Although there will be a physical death, your spiritual self will live forever.  The spiritual side of all people will live forever in either heaven or hell.  Heaven awaits those that are Gods.  We can rest assure because of what Jesus did on the cross.  Taking on the punishment/death that we deserved because of our sin.  Most people don't like to live thinking about death, but God instructs us to (Ecclesiastes 7:1).  A funeral is a better place to be than a birth.  We need to think about death, often.  It changes our hearts, it changes our daily thoughts.  It reminds us of what really matters.  Death is a wired thing.  It separates us from our earthly family, our friends and way of life.  But it grants us ultimate peace.  It is the pathway to fulfillment.  It is the greatest moment of your life.  If you've accepted what Jesus did for you, death will not be a horrible thing.  It will be the ultimate thing.  Yes, it will bring sadness to those that are left on earth, but you will be with our King, our Saviour, our Friend, The Prince of Peace.  Everything on earth that you wanted, you desired, you lived for, will be found in him.  You will be physically held, caressed, and kissed by our great God.  I pray that your deathbed will find you peaceful.  I pray your mind and hearts affections will be on the cross.  It truly is the greatest news.  Sinners are forgiven.  We are found righteous and pure in his eyes.  Jesus is our hero.  What great confidence can we have when it doesn't rest in anything of ourselves, but every single ounce is found is a gracious and giving God.  Accept what He's done!  Eternity awaits us all, I pray it's with the King!

I love you.

Dad