Suffering
A Tribute to Margaret Irene Cookson (1927-2022)
Margaret Irene Cookson, Shirley’s mother, passed away last night on December 6 at Hospice House in Tacoma, Washington. I spent two hours with her before she passed–thanking God that he would soon usher her into the arms of Jesus and a glorious time of reunion.
Mothers are the most important people on earth–imparting their lives and love to their children and extended family.
We miss you, Irene. But we know you’ve just experienced the greatest day of your life.
All because of Jesus.
The Invincible Power of Perseverance
During the 1980’s, I met a Christian leader who was a spokesman for moral renewal. Jerry Falwell, pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, catapulted into national prominence through starting the Moral Majority.
For years, he was probably the most loved and hated man in America.
One evening he spoke at a rally in Washington, D.C. I don’t remember the details of his speech, but I’ll always remember one line. He said, “The true greatness of an individual is always proportionate to his willingness to endure testing.”
This past week we celebrated the greatest act of perseverance in history–Jesus’ death on the cross. He did so to fill the world with joy–that our sins are forgiven, and that we too can experience eternal life through trusting him.
We must learn to persevere like Jesus to inherit that promise.
Lessons from Job–Both At Home and Afar
Watching the chaos in Afghanistan after the foolish Biden Administration pullout was both heart-wrenching and concerning. Seeing hundreds of people chase airplanes at the Kabul airport, and some fall from the sky after trying desperately to get aboard, reminded me that life is fragile and filled with times of desperation and evil.
I’ve only witnessed (on live television) these compelling scenes a few times in life. The first was the fall of Saigon on April 1, 1975, that brought the full curse of communism to Vietnam. The second was on 9-11–twenty years ago next month–when international Muslim terrorism destructively visited our shores.
We must up our prayers for both Afghanistan and America.
Yesterday I personally experienced a “Job” day that I’m sure is common to many. Here are some lessons from Job–both at home and afar.