In Memory Of Charlotte

 On Sunday we celebrated the life of my mother-in-law.  Friends and family gathered to remember the many ways she touched our lives, to give thanks for her life, to hear words of comfort and hope, and to support each other.   There were many tears, stories told, and children running and playing.  What was evident is that Jesus was present in the midst of our grief--so too were our friends.  We were grateful for those who joined us.  We were made aware that a friend is one who strengthens you with prayers, blesses you with love, and encourages you with hope. 

Power Of Prayer

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ.  (Colossians 4:3 NIV)

Toward the end of Paul’s letter to the believers in Colossae, he asks for their prayers as he proclaims the mystery of Christ. This petition has a few layers to it.  First, Paul asks for prayer. This may not seem to merit extra consideration, but the fact that even the apostle needed others to pray for him should encourage us. Second, Paul needs prayer for God to open the door. While many of us like to believe that we have the ability to convert someone, only God can open the door for this change to occur. The last part of his petition is related to the previous one—the reason that God must open the door to gospel proclamation is because the gospel is a mystery. This is still true today. The message of the gospel is something that we are incapable of understanding without the direct activity of the Holy Spirit. In the same way that Peter was only able to articulate the message of the gospel at Pentecost after receiving the Spirit, we still rely on God’s timing for the seed of the good news to take hold. Pray today for someone you know who needs to hear the good news.      (Words Of Hope, Grand Rapids, MI, 8/20/13)

How Each Disciple Died

I have always been captivated by this. Tradition tells us that Matthew suffered martyrdom by being slain with a sword at Ethiopia.  Mark died at Alexandria, after being cruelly dragged through the streets.  Luke was hanged on an olive tree in Greece.  John was put in a caldron of boiling oil, but escaped death miraculously and was banished to Patmos.  Peter was crucified upside down in Rome.  James, the Greater, was beheaded at Jerusalem.  James, the Less, was thrown from the pinnacle of the temple and then beaten to death with a fuller's club.  Bartholomew was flayed alive.  Andrew was bound to a cross, from which he preached to his persecutors until he died.  Thomas was run through the body with a lance in the East Indies.  Jude was shot to death with arrows.  Matthias was first stoned and then beheaded.  Barnabas of the Gentiles was stoned to death at Salonica.  Paul, after various tortures and persecutions, was beheaded at Rome by the Emperor Nero.

What sacrifice are we willing to make for Jesus?  We may not be asked to die for our faith, but how are we living our faith?  Pray that God might bless your journey with him this week.