Mitt Romney in 2012

Four years ago, I wrote about how Mitt Romney heard a "whisper" during a debate. I wonder if there have been any "whispers" in Presidential debates this time around.

Going home without Mitch

In December I wrote about Mitchell Chepokas, a boy who died in 2003 from cancer. On pp. 61-62 of "Good-bye, Mitch," a book written by Rebecca Chepokas (Mitch's mom) and Ronald M. Stanchfield (Mitch's grandfather), Rebecca writes about how God was with her when she had to leave the hospital without her beloved son:

Alone and in tears, I poured out my broken heart to God. I released my anger and my fears to Him. Gradually, I felt my strength return as God filled me with a new supernatural strength, empowering me to do what I could not do on my own -- continue on.

Then as I thanked God for His presence, for His grace and His sovereign love, my tears began to subside. The bedroom door slowly opened. It was Melissa [her daughter]. Stepping aside, she looked at me and questioned, 'Mom, why are you so sad?'

I moved to her. We sat on the edge of my bed and hugged. I explained how hard it was for me to come home without Mitch. She responded tenderly, 'Mom, Mitch is in Heaven, and he wants you to be happy!' Her simple but wise words filled me with peace and comfort.

'You are my angel sent by God,' I told her. God used my precious daughter's words to answer my prayers. Moments later, as I assured Steve [her husband] that I was feeling better, I found myself distracted by a reoccurring phrase rolling through my mind like words on a marquee. 'Well done my good and faithful servant!'

I marveled at how merciful God is! I realized God's Holy Spirit was speaking directly to me. God knew my troubled and broken heart, that I needed such words of encouragement. In faith I had turned to Him for strength. For this He was pleased. It was God telling me, 'Well done my good and faithful servant!'

I think that we all long for that approval and hope that at the end of our lives God says, "Well done."

You are missed, John Brian Becker.

One year ago today my brother-in-law, John Brian Becker, passed away. Melanoma eventually won the battle.

In the past year he has been thought of so often by me and my wife, Patty. There have been the natural times that we have missed him, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, his birthday, and the summer ceremony in which his ashes were buried.

But there have been many other times as well. Like when I walked by a new bar/restaurant in downtown St. Paul called Amsterdam. Or when the Minnesota Fringe Festival took place. There are little things here and there that spark our memories of John Brian.

We miss you, John Brian. Everyone misses you. We know that you're in a better place, though.

Theme of the year

In a recent letter, author John Eldredge outlined how he starts out each year. (Hint:  It's not with New Year's resolutions.)

Eldredge asks Jesus, What is the theme of this year, Lord? Here's what Eldredge has to say:

I do this every January 1st, and it has proven a mighty rescue many times over. Usually Jesus will say one simple thing. Three years ago it was, 'Love.' And all through the year, I found myself needing to return to the simple truth of love. It helped to orient me; it helped me to interpret things. Two years ago it was, 'Restoration,' and that proved to be the year I took a short sabbatical and sought the restoration I needed. Last year it was, 'My glory,' and wow -- it was the year of Beautiful Outlaw and I could say a hundred things about how 'My glory' proved true. So ask Jesus, What is the theme of this year, Lord? And when he speaks, write it down! Post it somewhere you will see it often. In very big letters.

So, what is the theme of 2012 for you?

Jesus makes all things new

Happy new year, everyone! At my church on New Year's Day, the executive pastor gave a message about how Jesus makes all things new.

He started out his sermon with an amazing story (you can hear it here) about God bringing him a new perspective. In 1999, the pastor worked as an executive at a consulting firm in Bloomington, Minn. The job brought much prosperity to his family, but was draining the life out of him. So he quit.

He started working part-time at the church as well as teaching graduate classes at Bethel University. To accommodate graduate students in the southern metro, Bethel decided in 2009 to open a location in Bloomington. It turns out that the new classroom space was on the exact same floor that the pastor's former employer was located on!

When the pastor asked God what to make of this, God replied, "I make all things new." Since the pastor really enjoyed teaching, this same location now was filling him up instead of draining the life out of him.

Good-bye, Mitch

I'm currently reading a book called "Good-bye, Mitch." It's by Rebecca Chepokas and Ronald M. Stanchfield, and it's the story of Mitchell Chepokas (Rebecca's son). In April 2001, Mitchell learned he was a victim of a genetic disorder called Marfans Syndrome, and in June 2002, he learned that he had cancer, which would take his life.

On pp. 56-57, an interesting scene takes place in a hospital room:

While I (Rebecca) slept, my mother came to her grandson's bedside. Responding to God's urging, she held Mitch's hand and began to pray. She thanked God for the gift of Mitchell in all of our lives. She thanked God for His grace and mercy, for His sovereign love, for the many friendships that brought great comfort, and for meeting each and every need during such a time of crisis.

'Thank you, Lord, for your ministering angels...' she prayed. Then she heard it -- the melodic chorus of harps. She looked about the room for the source. The music expanded over Mitchell's bed and soon filled the room. 'Do you hear the music, Mitch?'

He responded, 'Uh-huh.'

'I do, too,' she said, and asked, 'Isn't it beautiful?'

Again he said, 'Uh-huh.'

'Thank You that Your angels are here,' she prayed. Then, as quickly as it began, the music was gone. People soon began to enter the room.

It's amazing how fleeting yet powerful God's presence can be. Perhaps that makes it all the more special when He touches us.

Finally

Have you read "Beautiful Outlaw" by John Eldredge yet? It's an excellent book that reminds us of how bold, generous and humble Jesus was.

Eldredge recently shared in a letter how Jesus spoke to him about the launch of "Beautiful Outlaw" finally arriving:

In fact, 'Finally' is what Jesus said to me, in January, as I was praying about this beautiful book. I was asking Jesus for 'advance words,' words to guide me through the writing and through the launch of this fantastic message. I expected to hear things like, 'I am with you,' or, 'Lift up my holy name,' that sort of thing. Instead, Jesus says, 'Finally.' It cracks me up. I love his sense of humor. There was also a gentle rebuke in the word, because this should have happened a long time ago.

Eldredge mentioned in the Ransomed Heart podcast that his previous publisher did not want to publish a book about Jesus, saying that there wasn't enough appeal and interest. I'm glad that his new publisher understood that this new perspective on Jesus needed to be told.