Radical

This week is a fast week for our church and we are all seeking how we can bring life to our community. After the fun of the holiday season with family we now focus on Jesus the Lord of our lives, the one who came to bring abundant life through us to others. We finished the book Radical by David Platt (thanks neighbor Dave) and  bought copies for the family because we are seriously going to take up the challenge of this book for 2011, and we want our family to know what we are experiencing. For the few of you who read this and are not our family, we recommend this book and the message it contains. It is challenging, but not at all out of reach or impossible. We can all apply these principles to our lives.

Bad News

When Sarah called on Monday, there was a catch in her voice. "We have bad news" she said, and then a little gasp escaped from her throat. For that two seconds thoughts raced through my mind before she explained that she had lost her uncle Jack, who was very dear to her and her family. We cried together. Nothing can be said to ease the grieving. The suffering and the tearing of death is a thing to be borne by us all. Jesus is grieving along with us, silently bearing our burden. I like this picture of Sarah. I think it captures her robust love of life and relationship, which makes the loss even more painful.