Encourage One Another

At almost every graveside or memorial serve I’ve officiated; I spend a few minutes giving my thoughts about “What do I do now?” I want people to consider what they should do as they walk away. THOUGHT NUMBER ONE - DEATH IS THE DESTINY OF EVERY PERSON. WE WILL ALL FACE DEATH. THOUGHT NUMBER TWO - LIVE AS IF TODAY IS YOUR LAST DAY ON EARTH. THOUGHT NUMBER THREE - ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER AS IF YOU’LL NEVER BE ABLE TO ENCOURAGE THEM AGAIN. Encourage one another. The English word encourage comes from a French compound in-courage. When you encourage someone, you are literally putting courage into them. You are speaking courage into their lives. What if your words that “in-courage” make the difference between healthy choices or destructive choices? What if your “in-courage-ment” gives someone strength to face a seemingly insurmountable challenge? The world is a discouraging place. It takes courage to live healthy, balanced, flourishing lives. As you know, it’s difficult to muster from inside oneself the courage needed to face life’s challenges. Jesus told the religious leaders they would be responsible for their words. “I tell you that on the Judgment Day people will be responsible for every careless thing they have said.” Matthew 12:36 (NCV) The Apostle Paul gave similar instructions. “When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need--words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.” Ephesians 4:29 (NCV) I love the wording of the New Century Version “say what people need—words that will help others become stronger.” Paul is writing about “in-courage-ing” words. Words that “will help others become stronger.” “In-courage” people today. You might not get the chance tomorrow. Tomorrow might not come for them. Tomorrow might not come for you. “In-courage” today while you have the chance to “in-courage” and they have the chance to hear your “in-courage-ment.”

Make the Most of Every Opportunity

At almost every graveside or memorial serve I’ve officiated; I spend a few minutes giving my thoughts about “What do I do now?” I want people to consider what they should do as they walk away. THOUGHT NUMBER ONE - DEATH IS THE DESTINY OF EVERY PERSON. WE WILL ALL FACE DEATH. THOUGHT NUMBER TWO - LIVE AS IF TODAY IS YOUR LAST DAY ON EARTH. No one knows how many years they will live. No one knows which will be their last year, their last month, or their last day. The thought that today could be the last day on earth is a sobering thought. Few people want life lived in the shadow of that thought. If today was your final day on earth, what would you do differently? Would you forgive someone? Would you apologize and reconcile with someone? Would you change any priorities? Would your words be more carefully chosen and spoken? Would you tell someone that you loved them? Would you tell them what they mean to you? I’m convinced if we knew today was our last day, we would do things differently. To often we get out of bed assuming that we have plenty of time. We slip into speech that has become comfortable. The same is true for attitudes, priorities, choices, and responses. The Apostle Paul wrote the church in Ephesus and Colosse “make the most of every opportunity.” Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5 What would it look like if TODAY and TOMORROW you “Made the most of every opportunity?” Don’t take today for granted. Don’t take tomorrow for granted. Don’t take the people in your life for granted.

Living for Eternity

Over the years, I have officiated dozens of graveside services. Many of the services have been for people I knew or had a relationship with. Some have also asked me to officiate at services for people from the community, and unless I have a conflicting engagement, I always agree to minister to the family. At almost every service, I spend a few minutes giving my thoughts about “What do I do now?” Memorials of any sort are difficult. There is a finality to a person’s life when their remains are placed in the ground and people say their “goodbyes.” I want people to think about what they should do as they walk away. After the most recent graveside service I officiated, I had the thought; Why not talk about these “What do I do now?” lessons more often? So here goes. I’m going to write about these “What do I do now?” over the next few weeks. THOUGHT NUMBER ONE Remember that death is the destiny of every person – we will ALL face death. Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.”. The death rate for people is 100%. Death is certain and unavoidable. Researchers are working intensely to extend our life expectancy, but they recognize death is inevitable. The author of the letter Hebrews wrote, “Everyone must die once and then be judged.” Hebrews 9:27 (NCV) Solomon wrote, “He has also set eternity in their [people’s] hearts.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NASB) Eternity is written into the human psyche. The first written accounts of belief in afterlife are 4,000-year-old texts from Egypt. Across cultures and centuries, people of all ages have a powerful sense that death is a transition, not an end. Existence doesn’t end with death. You will die. Are you prepared for what follows death? Jesus instructed Nicodemus, when he asked about eternity, “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NCV) Turn control of your life over to Jesus. His death forgives your past, his life ensures your future. Jesus is “the Way, the Truth and the Life.”

Loving God and Loving Others Well

If you are news reader or watcher, you know well that the church is the regular topic of the press, and it’s usually not good. I walked away from last Sunday’s memorial for Mark Brinkman so proud of South Whidbey Assembly and the other churches we work with on South Whidbey! The church was embracing the mission of Jesus to Love God and Love Others. I would say we were loving in technicolor! On Saturday, people from Island Church, Calvary Chapel and the community joined the set-up crew from SWAG. Sunday after the memorial, some of the same crew and others joined in to tear down and set-up the building for Island Christian Academy to jump into school again on Monday morning. We are the church! The church ministered to hurting and grieving law enforcement and first responders from Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mt Lake Terrace, Snohomish County, Island County, and WSP. The church ministered to students, family members, community members from South Whidbey as well as city employees and officials from Lynnwood. The day and the memorial were tough, but your “Love God and Love Others” ministry made the day a little less painful and stressful. I’m so proud to pastor South Whidbey Assembly and to be a part of the larger church on South Whidbey! Over the years, SWAG has often been asked to serve in difficult community situations and you have always risen to the occasion to Love God and Love Others. One of our theme verses for 34 years has been Jeremiah 29:5-7. “Build houses and settle in the land. Plant gardens and eat the food they grow. Get married and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons, and let your daughters be married so they also may have sons and daughters. Have many children… Do good things for the city where I sent you…. Pray to the LORD for the city where you are living, because if good things happen in the city, good things will happen to you also.” Jeremiah 29:5-8 (NCV) I am proud to serve and lead alongside you!