Friday, December 03, 2010
Thursday, December 02, 2010
LIVING WELL, December 2010
He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces.
(Isaiah 25:6)
The reality of this verse is a great comfort as I (Donna) go through the passing of my mother from this life to the reality of eternity with our Lord. My mother departed on November 15th. I was fortunate to spend those moments with her as she breathed her last breath. For now, the loss of her physical presence brings great grief in my life. But I believe His Promise even when I don’t feel it.
My mother had a great influence on my spiritual life. I am thankful for the many ways she taught me about Jesus and the way she demonstrated His life through hers. I think of the verse in which Paul wrote to Timothy about his legacy of faith from his mother and grandmother. The same verse could be written of my inheritance. "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother and in your mother and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Timothy 1:5 paraphrased) The faith of a Christian mother and grandmother is of great value in our lives.
I know that many of our friends, family, and supporters have prayed for us during this time of loss. We greatly appreciate your continued prayers as we go through this season of life.
As we celebrate the coming of our Lord to earth, we remember why He came.
The Bible recounts many reasons that Jesus left heaven to become a human and walk the earth. Here are a few.
Jesus came:
To reveal or make known the Father:
All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Matthew 11:27
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. John 1:18
To save the world:
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17
To preach the good news of the kingdom of God:
But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” Luke 4:43
To serve and sacrifice:
Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28
To do the will of the Father:
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6:38
To destroy the work of Satan:
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 1 John 3:8
To become a high priest and atone for sin:
For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17
To proclaim freedom for believers:
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free. Luke 4:18
To give abundant life:
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10b
In December each year, many of us either make special donations to ministries or perhaps catch up on donations before year’s end. Without you and others standing with us, it is not possible for us to continue the mission the Lord has given us to strengthen marriages and families through the services of our ministry including personal guidance and classes. Would you please prayerfully consider including Living Well in your end-of-year contributions? Your prayers and financial investment enables us to move forward in 2011. (Click here to donate)
Know anyone who needs to get a better handle on their finances? We have a class starting January 4th on Tuesday nights in January. (Click here for details) Our love in Christ,
Merry Christmas! We pray that you have an opportunity to spend time with your families. May the enclosed book mark aid you in celebrating and worshipping the fullness of who Jesus is.
Donna and Ed Edwards
P.S. Please pray that the Lord will continue to provide for the ministry through year-end giving.
(Isaiah 25:6)
The reality of this verse is a great comfort as I (Donna) go through the passing of my mother from this life to the reality of eternity with our Lord. My mother departed on November 15th. I was fortunate to spend those moments with her as she breathed her last breath. For now, the loss of her physical presence brings great grief in my life. But I believe His Promise even when I don’t feel it.
My mother had a great influence on my spiritual life. I am thankful for the many ways she taught me about Jesus and the way she demonstrated His life through hers. I think of the verse in which Paul wrote to Timothy about his legacy of faith from his mother and grandmother. The same verse could be written of my inheritance. "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother and in your mother and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Timothy 1:5 paraphrased) The faith of a Christian mother and grandmother is of great value in our lives.
I know that many of our friends, family, and supporters have prayed for us during this time of loss. We greatly appreciate your continued prayers as we go through this season of life.
As we celebrate the coming of our Lord to earth, we remember why He came.
The Bible recounts many reasons that Jesus left heaven to become a human and walk the earth. Here are a few.
Jesus came:
To reveal or make known the Father:
All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Matthew 11:27
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. John 1:18
To save the world:
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17
To preach the good news of the kingdom of God:
But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” Luke 4:43
To serve and sacrifice:
Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28
To do the will of the Father:
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6:38
To destroy the work of Satan:
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 1 John 3:8
To become a high priest and atone for sin:
For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17
To proclaim freedom for believers:
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free. Luke 4:18
To give abundant life:
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10b
In December each year, many of us either make special donations to ministries or perhaps catch up on donations before year’s end. Without you and others standing with us, it is not possible for us to continue the mission the Lord has given us to strengthen marriages and families through the services of our ministry including personal guidance and classes. Would you please prayerfully consider including Living Well in your end-of-year contributions? Your prayers and financial investment enables us to move forward in 2011. (Click here to donate)
Know anyone who needs to get a better handle on their finances? We have a class starting January 4th on Tuesday nights in January. (Click here for details) Our love in Christ,
Merry Christmas! We pray that you have an opportunity to spend time with your families. May the enclosed book mark aid you in celebrating and worshipping the fullness of who Jesus is.
Donna and Ed Edwards
P.S. Please pray that the Lord will continue to provide for the ministry through year-end giving.
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Good Grief
Many times I have sent the booklet, Good Grief, to friends who are going through the loss of a loved one.
Today, I decided it was time for me to read it for my own grief, not as a counselor, but as one who is experiencing the loss.
About 18 months ago, I wrote about grief (read here) after watching a couple of friends go through the loss of loved ones.
Today I read that post for myself. I ended that post with these words:
I don't know that kind of sorrow and grief,
but I know our Lord does.
And He cares. And He comforts.
That I do know.
Today, I do know the sorrow and grief. And He still cares. And he still comforts. That I do know.
Today, I decided it was time for me to read it for my own grief, not as a counselor, but as one who is experiencing the loss.
About 18 months ago, I wrote about grief (read here) after watching a couple of friends go through the loss of loved ones.
Today I read that post for myself. I ended that post with these words:
I don't know that kind of sorrow and grief,
but I know our Lord does.
And He cares. And He comforts.
That I do know.
Today, I do know the sorrow and grief. And He still cares. And he still comforts. That I do know.
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