I came down with a bad case of the flu…
The symptoms began around the last few days of June. At first, I thought it was only a summer cold coming on. But it quickly escalated, and I was very sick. I am just now getting over it.
I've never had the flu during the summer months. I think, however, that my immune system’s resistance was down from the stresses I was under in June.
Throughout the past month I had to deal with the parole hearing followed by the media's criticisms of the website. The news coverage about the site went on for several weeks. And I also had an accumulation of pressures from having to be a full-time caregiver, plus having to pastor a church.
Now, thankfully, my strength is returning. God has been faithful, and His grace has once again proven to be sufficient. But I still feel tired and weak from the residue of this flu bug.
This evening, though, I went to a Bible study in the chapel. During tonight's class, which is held every Thursday, we have been studying from the popular book, "The Purpose Driven Life," by Rick Warren. Another inmate, "Brother Mike," has been teaching from it. We've been trying to cover one chapter from the book every month.
In today's class, Mike asked each of us what we felt was our purpose in life. More specifically, what is our purpose within the Body of Christ - the Church. I shared my view that our fullest purpose, which God has planned for each of our lives, may not be completely achieved in this lifetime.
I told the group that while we as individual Christians do have our specific callings and functions within our respective fellowship and within the church, that there is a bigger picture to this. I read from John chapter 14 where the Lord Jesus tells His disciples about the mansions He's preparing for us in Heaven.
I also shared a few passages from the Scriptures which tell us that our "citizenship" is already in Heaven. I told my brothers that while God has already made us to be "complete" in Him, and while He has filled us with His Spirit and with joy, we have especially been created to live with Him in eternity.
Moreover, I explained to them that while the Lord is busy working in our lives not only to help us to grow spiritually as well as to prepare us for "works of service" now (Ephesians 2:10), He is likewise preparing each of us for a place and a position in Heaven.
I think this is an awesome concept, and I said this. For we can live at present with a great hope and expectation, knowing that, when we leave this earth, the Lord has things planned for our lives that will be spectacular.
My heart, I said to them, beats wildly with anticipation of what is ahead for me, and for us. In Heaven, there will be no taint of sin in the new bodies we will receive. We shall never again experience pain or loss or disappointment.
Jesus the Messiah, I believe, has a place for those who are, at present, prisoners. He has a place for each of us within the church. He also has a place for us in Heaven.
Ahead, for me, is a far, far better place.
D.B.
I've never had the flu during the summer months. I think, however, that my immune system’s resistance was down from the stresses I was under in June.
Throughout the past month I had to deal with the parole hearing followed by the media's criticisms of the website. The news coverage about the site went on for several weeks. And I also had an accumulation of pressures from having to be a full-time caregiver, plus having to pastor a church.
Now, thankfully, my strength is returning. God has been faithful, and His grace has once again proven to be sufficient. But I still feel tired and weak from the residue of this flu bug.
This evening, though, I went to a Bible study in the chapel. During tonight's class, which is held every Thursday, we have been studying from the popular book, "The Purpose Driven Life," by Rick Warren. Another inmate, "Brother Mike," has been teaching from it. We've been trying to cover one chapter from the book every month.
In today's class, Mike asked each of us what we felt was our purpose in life. More specifically, what is our purpose within the Body of Christ - the Church. I shared my view that our fullest purpose, which God has planned for each of our lives, may not be completely achieved in this lifetime.
I told the group that while we as individual Christians do have our specific callings and functions within our respective fellowship and within the church, that there is a bigger picture to this. I read from John chapter 14 where the Lord Jesus tells His disciples about the mansions He's preparing for us in Heaven.
I also shared a few passages from the Scriptures which tell us that our "citizenship" is already in Heaven. I told my brothers that while God has already made us to be "complete" in Him, and while He has filled us with His Spirit and with joy, we have especially been created to live with Him in eternity.
Moreover, I explained to them that while the Lord is busy working in our lives not only to help us to grow spiritually as well as to prepare us for "works of service" now (Ephesians 2:10), He is likewise preparing each of us for a place and a position in Heaven.
I think this is an awesome concept, and I said this. For we can live at present with a great hope and expectation, knowing that, when we leave this earth, the Lord has things planned for our lives that will be spectacular.
My heart, I said to them, beats wildly with anticipation of what is ahead for me, and for us. In Heaven, there will be no taint of sin in the new bodies we will receive. We shall never again experience pain or loss or disappointment.
Jesus the Messiah, I believe, has a place for those who are, at present, prisoners. He has a place for each of us within the church. He also has a place for us in Heaven.
Ahead, for me, is a far, far better place.
D.B.
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