The Purpose

Why?

Deep down, isn’t that what we all want to know? Why did the accident have to happen? Why did 4 teenage girls die? Why will 36 kids, lots of parents, and tons of family and friends have 30 feet of nightmares for a very long time to come?

We think that if we can figure out THE PURPOSE, then it will make sense, and we can have closure. Perhaps it won’t be as sad. Perhaps it won’t be repeated.

But that’s not the way it works. And we know that too, deep down.

Why God allows bad things to happen to good people is the unanswerable question. It defies our sense of justice, that sense of justice that we inherited from God, by the way. He made us to expect apples from apple trees, oranges from orange trees, to reap what we sow. To expect that if we do what is right, then nothing will go wrong.

So when the reverse happens, and innocent children die for no apparent reason, we can get stuck in the quagmire of whys.

We crawl out at times on our own flimsy boards of reasoning: maybe it was for a wake-up call to pull other students on the right track; maybe the girls who died were prepared for heaven now and might not have been later; maybe it will prompt safety alterations that will prevent more deaths in the future.

But whatever excuses for answers we come up with, we know they fall short. We’re missing too many puzzles pieces, ones that our eyes can’t see. So eventually we change the question. Instead of “Why are they gone?”, we ask “Why am I here?”

We do know that God created us intentionally and deliberately to live. More specifically, to live for Him. By design, our purpose is to reach out for our Creator and touch others as we do that.

So while we can’t answer why God allowed Nicole, Christina, Tanesha, and Crystal to die this week, God has given answers about why we are still here. To love Him and to love others. Thoughtfully, willfully, and voluntarily.

One way we do that is to put our arms around those struggling with the first question.

Then one day when we’ve all gone home to stay, our Father will wrap his arms around us and make all His purposes plain.

Lisa

Nicole's Cup

I didn't think I would be writing about death so soon, but I wanted to share about Nicole Ford.

Nicole’s cup

One of the teachers told me there had been a tragic bus accident with fatalities and serious injuries. I turned on the news. That’s how I learned that a teenager named Nicole Ford had been killed. At first I just wondered if it had been our little Nicole, but the worst was soon confirmed when they described how this victim had been shot in the face and had a young son. I was in shock, “How could this happen – to Nicole, to the other students – or even at all.” When I got home and I saw Nicole’s cup on the window sill. That’s when the memories came and I was able to cry.

My memories are of a sweet, funny little girl who first came into my life when she was in first grade. Nicole was one of “Linda’s kids.” She rode the van to attend Central and we became her foster parents. Nicole sat with me during worship - sometimes napping on my lap, or snuggling on my shoulder while she practiced writing her name and the words “I love you.”

Over the years she would often come to our house on Sunday afternoons. One of the funniest memories was watching her comb and braid Benjamin’s hair. He was so patient with her. She loved to play with my old dolls while she watched Jurassic Park. We would start the movie, let it run and then take it out when it was time to leave. When she came back the next time, we’d just plug it in wherever we left off the last time.

One day when we dropped her off at home, she ran inside saying she had something for me. All toothless smiles, she presented me with her treasure – a little tea pot and a cup with a broken handle. Now it’s my treasure. I’ve had it sitting out on my window sill for years to remind me of my sweet little Nicole.

Isn’t that just like what we do with God? We present him with our only treasure – the broken cup of our lives. Now we are God’s treasure. He accepts our broken cups and places us lovingly “on his window sill.”

Kathleen

Fear of Death by Kathleen

In reading Hebrews this week, I was struck by our fear of death. Satan intended to use our fear of death for evil. In Christ we should have no fear of death – but I admit I still do.

Maybe death will be like standing on the edge of a swimming pool. It’s foggy and I can’t see the water. I’m pretty sure I will like swimming. I’ve heard wonderful accounts from a reliable witness who has jumped in before me. But I am still standing on the edge of the pool, the only existence I know about. It’s a lovely place to be waiting before I jump. After all, it was created by the same lifeguard who is calling for me to join him in the water.

The lifeguard tells me not to fear. “Come on in, the water’s fine! I’ve stood where you are now, but this is so much better! So divinely refreshing! Family and friends are swimming around in here too. You can hear my voice, so you know I’m right here to catch you when you’re ready. So, don’t be afraid.”

One day, the lifeguard will call and I’ll make that jump. Will I feel fear or feel a grand anticipation? Probably a little of both.

But I will make the jump because I trust the lifeguard.

Kathleen Lowery

TO ADD A NEW COMMENT:

Add your comments either by directly posting (if you are already a member) or by following these 3 steps:

1. Click on "0 Comments" under this paragraph (lower right hand corner) or under any of the postings. You will automatically be redirected to a new page.

2. Type in what you want to say in the blank "Leave Your Comment" section. You do NOT have to use a username/password or sign up for a Google or blogger account. Anyone can leave a comment; just click the "Anonymous" button under "Choose An Identity".

3. Click the blue icon underneath your comment: "Login and Publish" OR "Publish Your Comment" (whichever one shows up). That's it!

Thanks for sharing!

Heavenly Verses

Colossians 3:1-2 is a challenge I like to be reminded of. I need more reminders to “look above,” to see things from a spiritual, eternal perspective, to understand that what I see with my eyes and touch with my hands are not the real things.

I also am inspired by Hebrews 12:1,2. Just think of it: “surrounded by a cloud of great witnesses”—Noah, Abraham, Moses…. Such men of faith who were responsive to the responsibilities that God placed on their shoulders. Their races were much more difficult than my life race, yet their endurance, bred from a strong faith in the Father, kept them from laying down and quitting in the hard times. What a blessing it will be when we can listen to their stories first-hand.

The kingdom within now, and the kingdom in fullness later--incredible realizations and goals as gifts from our Lord. I look forward to my “departure to be with Christ” (Philippians 1:21-23), to live in timelessness, spirit-to-Spirit, with the ultimate Giver.

Lisa

****

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Colossians 3:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.
Philippians 1:21-23

I Can Only Imagine

Artist: Mercy Me

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of you be still

Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You

I can only imagine

I think heaven...

I think heaven is going to be more awesome than anyone can imagine. My limited mind is certainly not capable of comprehending what it will be like. There aren't even words in my vocabulary to express it. I just know I want to be there.

l Corinthians 2:9 Paul tell us "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"

Revelations 21:4 "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away"

I can only imagine.

Adrienne

Week 9 Questions - Heaven

1. What do you think heaven will be like? What do you most look forward to about it?

2. Share scriptures about heaven that inspire you.

3. For the Wednesday Worship Class participants:
Please give your comments about your experience with the class this quarter.
(What was beneficial? Distracting? Encouraging? Etc.)