Endings.......and new beginnings

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Isn't that wonderful? God can do things that we cannot even fathom.......things we can't even think of or imagine. And I don't know about you, but I have a good imagination. I want to talk a little bit about beginnings and endings. A very good friend of mine was sworn in as citizen of the United States of America this past Friday. I had the privilege of being there. He is no longer a resident alien, but a citizen. (It's nice to see someone do it the legal way.....we live on the US Mexican border in Texas and so many enter illegally everyday.) How many of us take for granted that honor, that privilege? In a recent city election for mayor in a city close to me (a city of over 130,000 people), only 20% of the eligible voters bothered voting. (In Iraq recently 70% percent voted in their elections.......even with the threat of death........amazing.) I was so excited to see a new beginning for my friend. Yesterday morning I received a call from another friend........that our friends' dad had died and the funeral was in an hour. I jumped up and got as ready as I could......also I've been sick for the past week so it was hard to just jump up and go. I was very glad that I went. This man was wonderful picture of Christian love. He taught his children and grandchildren how to love and how to live.........and mostly how to live for Christ. It is also a new beginning for him. I told one of his sons, "You know, we're going to miss him, but he's not going to miss us........he's going to a HUGE family reunion. He can run again, and jump, and sing.........." Of course there's always grief when a loved one "graduates". It's natural and normal to grieve the loss of a loved one. That doesn't mean you grieve 20 years........but grieving is a part of life.......of endings and beginnings. Our time with our loved one has ended......momentarily.....but their being with Jesus makes it worth the wait to be with them once again. You may find it strange that I mention the word "graduate" for death. Now that's only applicable to a Christian......but it's true. The tests have come, the years have gone, and it's time to graduate. And just as my friend swore allegiance to this country, we must remain faithful to Jesus.......no matter what.

This is a new year........a grand new year. The things of yesterday are gone. There's no need whine and cry about what was or what was not last year.......let's look forward to this year. Repent, and move on. Let's love more and complain less. Let's quit shutting ourselves up in our churches and houses......and let's get out and evangelize our neighborhoods. Sometimes the greatest witness of all is being available........loving one another. My neighbor is Muslim.........a Palestinian from Palestine. He and his family are so nice to us it's amazing. We don't agree on many things.........he's more liberal, and we're conservative. We're Christian, they're Muslim. Both he and his wife are professors at colleges down here. I'm a pastor and mom is a retired school teacher. When we're out of town, they feed our dog and cats. And the last time we were out of town (Christmastime) they mowed our yard. They are offended if we offer them money or any kind of repayment. They scoff at even the thought and say, "We are neighbors.......that's what neighbors do." These folks are nicer to us than some Christians we know. It saddens me. I love my brothers and sisters in Christ........and I long to be with them. I want to help them..........they won't ask. I offer my help they pretend they don't need it. Why oh why do we have to be so dad-burn politically (perhaps the word I'm searching for is "religiously") correct? And so "self sufficient"? We are here for one another. Lean on me.........because soon I'm going to need to lean on you. Remember, Jesus told a parable about being a neighbor........remember the parable of the good Samaritan? (See Luke 10:25-37) Let's be good to our neighbors. Let's be good to everyone. Have a great day and God bless. :-) PJ