Friday, March 28, 2008

Funerals and Weddings-Celebrations of Life

On Wednesday morning of last week (March 26), we attended the funeral of our friend and relative, Roger (see blog about a tribute to him). After a 13 hour drive to Minnesota on Tuesday, Sue and I were tired but so appreciative of the opportunity we had to spend time with our family and friends that gathered to celebrate his life.

The highlight for me in the midst of the sadness was hearing Roger's daughter and three sons share briefly of some of the memories of their dad. They all talked about his love for sports. One said that when Roger died, Minnesota lost its #1 sports fan. They all spoke about his dedication to being a dad, i.e., he was always there for them. From attending their sporting events as a kid to listening to issues they were dealing with as adults---Roger took time. It was thematic. He took time with his family. They shared stories about his disdain for fishing not getting in the way of his effort to do it often with his boys. They spoke equally of his even keeled approach to just about everything in life and his relatively calm demeanor. It was difficult to determine if they were winning or losing a game based on the expression Roger had on the sidelines because he looked the same at all times :-)

But, the one thing that they all recalled which trumped all of his other memorable traits as a dad was his faith. His faith in Jesus Christ was the single most recognizable and memorable trait they recalled about their father. Wow! Isn't that how we all want to be remembered (at least those of us who profess Christianity as our foundation)? That at the end of our days, our lives counted for something more than just existing.  He wanted to make sure that everyone he knew had the chance to hear about the savior he was soon going to meet face to face.  We're all going to be known for something when it comes time for our loved ones to have a memorial service for us.  Roger's family and friends knew what was his real heartbeat...his love for his savior, Jesus Christ.  

Soon after we celebrated a life well lived, we had the chance to witness new life.   Not a birth but a wedding.  Young friends of my son were getting married two days after we shared in the celebration of Rogers' life.  The bible tells us that when a couple makes a covenant promise to marry, they become one flesh.  A new life together.  And so we had the privilege of witnessing the impact of a man on his family and friends over many years and celebrating in the newness of life God was bringing together between a man and a woman.  Interesting juxtaposition.  My prayer for this young couple and for all of us is that we live this life with reckless abandon for something that is bigger than ourselves.  And, I contend that the only thing worth living for is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  If not, then grab all the gusto you can because this life is all there is.  Roger didn't believe that.  The young couple getting married don't believe that.  Neither do I.  Let's make an impact on the world using a life well lived as our motto.

Monday, March 24, 2008

A Tribute to a Friend- Roger

Last night we got news that a family member and friend died of cancer. After a battle of nearly two years, his fight on this earth concluded. He fought well and as the Apostle Paul desired, Roger fought the battle with excellence right up to the end. He was my wife's cousin and he and his wife Ann and their family have meant a lot to us over our married lives. Roger loved sports, his family and friends and, most of all, the Lord.

I can't recall a discussion with him that didn't include all three. He was a passionate Vikings fan and so I resonated with him on that since we met (maybe the word is commiserated). His love for his family was evident as he would share about the happenings in each of their lives. And, it is evident by the way his family loved him. And, he was always an encouragement to Sue and I over the years to keep pursuing our love relationship with Christ, especially as we entered into full time ministry with Campus Crusade/FamilyLife. He and Ann have supported us prayerfully and financially since the moment we started this journey. He and Ann showed us what it was like to live a life of love for Christ by the way they've lived. They did many things that showed Christ's love for others including volunteer work at Campus Crusade's headquarters when they moved to Florida to escape the harsh Minnesota winters.

Our last meeting with them was about 1 1/2 years ago over breakfast at Byerly's. He had just completed his first bout with cancer and was seemingly doing well and ready to enter into Chemo treatments over the winter. But, he was so positive and he was an encouragement to us as we discussed some struggles we were having with our financial support as missionaries. He and Ann were going to try and help us. Here he was in the midst of battling for his life and his concern was for us.

Too often, these kind of tributes happen after a loved one has left this earth. I'm saddened that I didn't get to tell him how much I appreciated his wise counsel over the years as I changed from job to job. He was in the professional human resources arena and helped people and organizations make wise position decisions. And, he was always encouraging to me when we would talk about the struggles I had to find a fit in my career with my personal passions. He would listen and offer wisdom. I appreciated that. I needed that. I'm saddened that I didn't get a chance to discuss another upcoming Vikings season with him to hear what he thought about how they might do. Or a discussion on the upcoming Twins season and his prediction about where they might finish. I missed telling him how much I enjoyed our opening fishing expeditions where I learned how to bait a hook and look for waders that didn't have holes in them :-). I was just in MN for a Weekend to Remember marriage conference and had hoped to stop by to say my good-byes since I knew he wasn't doing well. But, the days got away from me with activities and I was unable to work it out. For that, I'm sad.

But, for all the sadness I feel in losing a friend, I rejoice because of the celebration we just enjoyed yesterday---the truth of Easter. If Easter is about bunnies and eggs only, then this day would be extremely sad. Not only would we have lost Roger on this earth but he would have been lost for all eternity. Yet, because Christ lives, Roger lives. Because Roger placed his faith in the resurrected Jesus Christ, he now is healed of the cancer that ravaged his body. He's in no more pain. He's continuing his journey fully alive and experiencing the joy of being in God's presence 24/7. For that we can rejoice even in the midst of our sadness and sorrow. I read a passage in Acts this morning that I think relates to this truth.

After the crucifixion of Jesus, the apostles saw the risen Christ and they watched Him ascend to heaven with the promise that Jesus would send them a Helper, the Holy Spirit, to assist them in their daily walking on this earth. The Holy Spirit would give them courage to boldly proclaim their faith even in the presence of intense, even life-threatening situations. So, in Acts 4, Peter and John were arrested for speaking about Jesus to the masses and seeing many (it says 5,000 men) put their faith and trust in the name of Jesus Christ. The same religious leaders who put Christ on the cross and knew that His body was missing from the grave had to do something to squelch this newly energized group of men and keep them from teaching things that usurped their authority as the religious leaders of the people. So, they had Peter and John arrested. In Acts 4, when asked by what name they healed (they had healed a disabled man) and spoke, they said "let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene---whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead---by Him this man is standing her before you healthy. This [Jesus] is the stone despised by you builders, who has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved". When they said this, they were ordered not to mention this name again or there would be consequences. After all, they had the perpetrator crucified just a few weeks prior. They obviously had the power to get what they wanted. Though I can't say that Roger ever had to respond in the face of this kind of danger, I have no doubt that he would have. The apostles response is what reminds me of Roger. They said in vs. 19 & 20, "But Peter and John answered them, 'Whether it is right in the sight of God (for us) to listen to you rather than to God, you decide for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.'"

That was Roger. He never stopped speaking about the impact Jesus Christ had on his life! And for that, I'm forever grateful. He was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and because of that we have the hope that he is indeed whole again. Though his family and loved ones are saddened because we no longer get to see his smile and hear his laugh or words of wisdom, we rejoice with the angels because death is not the end for one who is a Child of Jesus Christ who conquered death for all time. Roger was and is a child of the King. We'll miss you Roger! But, we will see you again! Thank you for Easter, Jesus.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

An Easter Anniversary...Like Haley's Comet

Apparently this will only happen once every 600 years or so...our Anniversary this year falls on Easter Sunday. And, in addition to it falling on Easter, our 23rd anniversary falls on the 23rd of March. Of course, since we were married on the 23rd of March, it's always the same day :-). But, this year is the only year where all three will fall together. It's kind of like the Perfect Storm...but NOT ;-). It's like the Perfect Celebration! On a day that we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, we get to celebrate the fact that Christ was not only resurrected so we could be reconciled to God but that He thought enough of me to give me the perfect gift on this earth, my wife Sue.

As you will be able to tell, most of our blogging as a family will be from my perspective (Jeff). I am more the writer but Sue holds most of the wisdom. I'll try to get her to share once in a while. So, the perspective on our life together as we celebrate 23 years together is mine.

At FamilyLife's Weekend to Remember conference, we learned two things that we still embrace today: First, my mate is NOT my enemy and, second, a marriage is a covenant where it can only succeed when each party gives 100% vs. the world's 50/50 perspective. Ashamedly, there have been times that my words and actions have reflected an enemy mentality toward Sue. And, I know there have been overt thoughts that I didn't think she was carrying her weight in our relationship. Yet, as we have grown closer to the Lord over the years, we've also grown closer to each other and today, as we joyfully celebrate 23 years as husband and wife, I can honestly say Sue is my best friend. I can't think of life without her. She is God's perfect gift for me and she complements (and compliments ;-) me completely. Of course, it is that complementary relationship that often causes friction and conflict. Thankfully, we've learned how to get better at resolving our conflicts and seeing our differences as being beneficial to helping us grow closer because God made us one on that day 23 years ago. And, God knew what He was doing even when we weren't sure.

I could go on and on, bragging as I'm blogging about my wonderful wife. She has put up with a lot of things that I've put upon her over the years. Through it all, she has made me a better man, father and husband. Obviously, working alongside the Lord, she still has a lot of work to do, but I look forward to the days of working together on my weaknesses! We may not have much to show in the area of financial means (though God has always provided), we are a living example that we are rich in the Lord and in each other.

So, on this day when we celebrate as Followers of Christ, I get the extra special joy of celebrating 23 years with my best friend and lover--my wife, Sue. God...thank you most of all for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem my life and allow me the joy of knowing you through Him AND for sending your child, Sue to me to give me life on this earth as my perfect gift and helpmate! This fusion of Easter, Anniversary and # of years celebrated will never happen again! Interesting to think about that we are actually at a "once in a lifetime" event. But, the relationship represented by each impacts us daily. Christ's resurrection fuels our purpose. Our life together represented by the annual celebration of our Anniversary continues to grow into a deeper and more penetrating love for each other and the years will continue to increase as long as we have breath of life and until we stand before Christ in Heaven....which brings us back around to the purpose of Easter. It truly is a Perfect Celebration! Thank you, God, for this special and unique day!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Saturday's Tension--Between the Cross and the Empty Grave

An Easter Devotion
by Jeff Abramovitz

It's Saturday...2008 years ago. Imagine the tension in Jerusalem and the surrounding area. Yesterday, a man claiming to be the Son of God...in fact, equal with God, was brutally murdered by death on a cross. Yes....murdered. He hadn't done anything wrong as far as performing any criminal actions. He was wrongfully killed by a religious group that wielded their power within the Roman controlled government to have him put to death. Mel Gibson's The Passion is powerful because of the depiction of the brutality of this Crucifixion. Some are wary of viewing this because of the violence shown in this dramatic rendering of that event. But I think the brutality is what gives it credence. It reminds us of the hatred that was heaped upon the God-man, Jesus Christ.

Saturday was the day of tension. It was the day between the Cross and the empty grave. Emotions were mixed. There was equal weeping and rejoicing, in the heavens and on earth. Weeping were those who had invested their lives in this man. His claims of deity were backed by physical miracles and an aura that surrounded Him wherever he went. He attracted a crowd everywhere he trod. And, many gave up their careers, their lives heretofore to follow this Man who told them He was the Messiah...the One who came to redeem them and reconcile them to God Almighty. And today, Saturday, their faith was shattered. The One who told them He was God was seemingly overcome by evil...the religious leaders who wanted Him out of the way. Certainly if He WAS God, He could and would have not allowed this despicable, humiliating act to happen to Him. Doubt must have begun to cloud their thinking. Did they follow in error? Did they give up their lives for a lie? He made references to "destroying the temple and rebuilding it in three days". In fact, he was very clear in telling the 12 disciples exactly what would happen to him: he was going to be handed over to the Gentiles to be killed by the chief priests and scribes and on the third day he would be raised from the dead. That time was at hand. Did they remember His words? Did they believe? Saturday was the day of tension for these men and women.

For those who thought they got rid of the "problem", there was tension, too. First, there was likely some rejoicing. The trouble-maker was quieted. No more threats to their leadership. No more "blasphemous" claims from this rebel-leader. The movement was quelled. Certainly this band of His followers would get the message that they were not to be crossed. Yet, I wonder if they weren't thinking "what if?" "What if" they were wrong? Did they kill God? Could they kill God? And, they knew that the means that they used to "kill" Jesus were underhanded and subversive. There's always tension to keep "sin" under the covers. The "cover up" is always harder than the act needing to be covered up.

There was tension for those who carried out the act. Pilate was walking the line between doing the politically correct action in approving the murder of Jesus without any legitimate reason to do so. His job was to keep the peace between the Jews and the religious leaders carried a lot of weight when it came to keeping that peace among and between the populace of Jews. Pilate's wife felt that tension and told her husband as much! "Don't have anything to do with this" was her plea to her husband. There was something different about this man!

And, I think there is tension in the heavenly realm. There is a world that exists outside of ours that is unseen but as real as that which we conduct our daily activities. The demons must have thought that they had won! They knew who Jesus was. When he cast them out of people and animals, they addressed Him accordingly. But they are not omniscient. They don't know the outcome of tomorrow. So, they couldn't have known that Saturday was not a day of victory but a day of transition. It was the day between the cross and the empty grave. A day of tension.

So, here we are over 2000 years later. It's Saturday, between the cross and the empty grave. I began to ask myself, "Do I feel the tension of Saturday?" If not, maybe I need to question my commitment to the One in which I have staked my allegiance. Am I living a life that reflects the pain and suffering of Jesus Christ at the cross? My sin cost something. It cost the Son of God His earthly life. It cost Him dignity through humiliation. His pain on that cross was real. And, the vivid images that Mel Gibson wrote into the Passion doesn't likely entirely reflect the reality of the barbarity perpetrated on the body of Jesus Christ that day. That should cause me to reflect on Christ's death. But if I stay there, I miss the hope that comes with Sunday. However, if I only rest on the hope that is Easter, I soon forget the cost. They are inextricably tied together. There is no hope without Christ's sacrifice. Yet, because of Christ's sacrifice on my behalf, there is hope. Therein lies the tension of Saturday. As a Follower of Christ, my life must reflect that reality. And, I should never be in so much despair about life and the situations that come upon me because there is hope in Sunday. And, I should never take for granted the hope in Christ and forget that it came at a great price. That's the tension of Saturday---caught between the Cross of Friday and the Empty Tomb of Sunday.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Done at Dunn (Bros)

Well, just sitting at a Dunn Bros in Plymouth, MN after working the weekend at the Minneapolis Weekend to Remember. Another GREAT weekend to see God work in the lives of individuals and marriages. About 960 people attended the conference at the Marriott City Center. 56 gave their life to Christ for the first time and over 200 made recommitments to their faith and their marriages. It's mind blowing to think about the ripple effect that a single conference like this can have. At least ten couples indicated that a marriage disaster was averted by attending this conference!! I also had a chance to see some old friends from our home church and a husband and wife introduced themselves to me after they heard I graduated from Richfield High School. Was good to see God working in my hometown!!

The main speaker, Tim Muehlhoff was excellent as usual. He was in Minneapolis a couple of years ago and was very funny. He's a professor at Biola University in LA and is one of our better Weekend to Remember speakers. In fact, someone came up to me during the conference and wondered how he could get Tim to speak at one of his church functions!

It's been a good trip for me but I DO MISS my family. I had a chance to connect with a lifetime friend. Chris and I were inseparable for a couple of years during our childhood. He lived down the street growing up and we had a lot of fun without getting into trouble. We recalled some of the things that we did together. Like the time we took a 30+ mile bike ride when we were in junior high. Or the time I was riding right behind him along a busy street and BAM...all of a sudden I was gone...face first on the ground as the front wheel of my bike fit nicely into a grate along the curb of the street. Then we laughed as we recalled the evenings of staying up late into the wee hours of the morning, playing Sports Illustrated baseball and eating as much sugar as we could stuff into our youthful bodies in one evening and not get sick (though we often got close). Ironically, we met for breakfast at a fun place called, Hell's Kitchen!! A nice place for a Campus Crusade staff and friend to meet :-).

Today I had the chance to meet with a pastor who is trying to get a young marrieds ministry off the ground at her church. It was really fun to share the resources of FamilyLife with her and give her some ideas about how to begin to structure a ministry to reach the 20's-30's in her growing church with God's plan for marriages. She cited many that are struggling and having difficulty so early in their marriages, ready to call it quits. It will be fun to work with her on developing a model that she can implement to provide hope for those couples and practical help with specific issues that they are experiencing. Though it sometimes sounds trite, it truly is help for today's marriages and hope that they can be life giving tomorrow!

Well, time to sign off, head over to my sister in-laws house and enjoy the evening with them before I go back home to Little Rock tomorrow morning. Sue has been entertaining three of Bryan's friends from John Brown who are staying with us during their spring break. FINALLY....boys outnumbering girls in our house. HALLELUJAH! Until next time