One Thousand Ninety-Six Days & Thankful

OHANA: “Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind — or forgotten.” – Lilo Pelekai, Lilo & Stitch

The boys on our trip to Pueblo, ready to plant a church in 1998

Not many count the days, but on occasion, I’ll look at not only the days, but also at the months, and the years, too. Today is day one thousand ninety-six. It’s been three years since my son Eddie entered into His King’s presence. No doubt he is filled with joy everlasting, in eternal worship of King Jesus. What an amazing thought. Even more amazing is to think of joining him very soon. Jesus is coming again! He’s coming to fulfill His promise. It’s because of Jesus’ faithfulness that there is hope in our lives!

“Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know where I am going and how to get there.” John 14:1-4 (NLT)

I’m overwhelmed with thanksgiving today. I’m thankful for the 26 years of life God allowed me to share with my son. Not all of those years were good, especially in Eddie’s younger days when his dad was trying to live life apart from Christ. Those were miserable days. But even so, God’s gracious love toward me, toward us, broke through my hardened heart and he saved me and my family. In a very real way, God restored the years that were eaten away. He added to that little family in huge ways with Josh and Caitlin, and everyone, at one point, committed their lives to Jesus Christ! Amazing Grace indeed.

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God And there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame.” Joel 2:25-27 (NKJV)

I’m thankful for the 26 years I shared with you, Eddie.

I’m thankful for your loving, gentle spirit growing up.

I’m thankful for your willingness to obey your mom and dad.

I’m thankful for your love of your mom.

I’m thankful for your love of your brother and sister.

I’m thankful for your reliability.

I’m thankful for your sense of humor.

I’m thankful for your dedication to God and His Word.

I’m thankful for your fulfillment of God’s call upon your life.

I’m thankful for your years of service, protecting our state as a Colorado State Trooper.

I’m thankful for your help and commitment in helping plant Calvary Chapel Aurora.

I’m thankful for your commitment to provide for your own family, even working two or three jobs to do it.

I’m thankful for you allowing us to be a part of our grandson Levi’s early life while you were alive. You know what a joy it was for us.

I’m thankful for your straightforward approach to life, with no game playing, just facing the facts.

I’m thankful for your honorable life filled with integrity.

I’m thankful you have a real faith in Jesus, assuring that we will be reunited and spend eternity together!

You’re missed, Son, and words can’t begin to describe the emotions and feelings that surround your absence. You are an honorable son, honest, straightforward, and to the point. You’re missed, but not forgotten, soon to be reunited with your loving family either by the rapture or by death.

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NKJV)

Today, the Lord reminded me of the story Pastor Chuck Smith used to share with us before he went home to be with his Lord, too.

“On the Fourth of July it’s fun to watch the fireworks, the sky rockets, the blazes of glory, and all the color filling the sky. Everybody is ‘oohing and aahing,’ but it only lasts for a short time. Before you know it, it’s just ashes. It’s a big flash, and then it’s all over. That’s the way many people are, just a big flash and then it’s over. You have to determine which sky you want to shine in. Do you want to shine as a star for ever and ever? Or do you want to be like a sky rocket with a sudden flash, coming on the scene dramatically, but with no staying power?“

Live your life for eternal staying power. Shine forever and ever, friends. Jesus is coming again! Maranatha.

We loved Disney together!

OHANA: “Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind — or forgotten.” – Lilo Pelekai, Lilo & Stitch

ALL-IN (20150104) from Calvary Church Colorado on Vimeo.

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