living for eternity today

Tag: life (Page 2 of 3)

Untold

I remember that day like it was yesterday. There was no sound. I was no expert and had no experience but I was sure that when a child was born there should be some noise, some sound, something…anything. But as Matthew burst into this world it was not with a sound or a cry or even a breath. It was silent. He was lifeless. It wasn’t like any movie I had seen or story I had heard.

This moment was unexpected to say the least. All throughout the pregnancy things were good. The heart beat was heard weeks after conception. The fingers and toes of our unborn children could be seen with tremendous ease. As cells split and formed and parts were created it was an amazing story that remained yet untold.

I remember the day the ultrasound tech told us we were having twins. I was shocked and probably could have used some medical attention myself. Not one heartbeat but two of them beating in perfect unison to the point the sonogram didn’t catch two hearts beating. What an amazing story that remained still untold.

Every child has a story to tell. Some of those stories are told in tears and cries for help. Others are told in songs of joy. Still other stories are told in smile that child brings to her eagerly waiting parents. Whatever the story, however it’s to be told let them speak. In this day and age when we speak out in matters of injustice and demand that all lives matter, have we forgotten the untold stories of millions of children who never had a chance to tell theirs? Have we so easily trampled on the innocent just to protect our own appearance and preserve our pride?

There’s a story to be told in each pre-born breath. There’s a story to be told in every kick at a mother’s belly. We can’t let those stories go untold.

Matthew was born with no breath in his lungs yet his story wasn’t over. The doctors knew it. They could sense it. They pulled in equipment and additional staff. They did all they could as they prepared to insert the tube into his lungs to breathe for him. But little did they know his story was just beginning. You see the second his twin was born, red as red can be, belting out his own scream of life, then Matthew’s voice was heard.

Our children have stories to tell. It’s our job as parents to help them tell those stories. From inside the womb to their cries in the crib to their skipping home from that first day of school to the time they dawn that uniform and head off to their first tour of duty – your child has a story. Every child has a story and there is no choice to leave it untold. We are called and commanded to give voice to each one of these stories.

Today’s Music Monday is one fitting for today. Untold. Don’t leave any story untold.

O Come, All Ye Faithful

As I stand at my desk in my office and look out the window at the snow falling on this last day of November in 2020, I decided it’s time to start the journey toward Christmas. We’re in a time of year in the church known as Advent. It pretty much means waiting, preparing, anticipating what’s coming. And how fitting is that this year!

This year has been a doozie to say the least. We all need a little to look forward to don’t we? So we’re going to go full out in our push toward Christmas this year. It’s the season of life and light and joy and hope and peace and love. These things are needed more this year than ever before.

On this first Music Monday of the 2020 Advent season, we highlight an old familiar song. There’s something about groups that remake old songs and liven them up a little. I enjoy sitting in my office with my cup of coffee and just being taken to younger days when we’d sing this song in church on Christmas.

What are some of your favorite Christmas memories?

As we move toward Christmas, I want to be totally honest and tell you the only way Christmas can make a difference in our lives is if we realize it’s real meaning. It’s not about the packages and presents and decorations. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. The packages will be unwrapped. The presents will eventually grow useless. But Jesus, born for you will never grow old and will never be out of style.

So have a happy Advent season. Keep your eyes on the real meaning of Christmas. And find joy in the everyday moments this season!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-xFsNx-HO4

Keep Me In The Moment

I have to admit something right here. I have a problem living in the here and now. I tend to be a mile ahead and around the corner. I try to see what’s coming. I try to plan for what could be. I try to think about things before they happen. Some days that philosophy works really well. But other times it keeps me from seeing things that are happening right in front of me.

Continue reading

What Gives!

It’s hard to even know what day it is anymore. We get up only to realize we don’t have to even shower before doing the work the day holds. The children won’t roll out of bed until they want to, which is far later than they used to. We’re getting more sleep than we did before but we’re more exhausted than ever before. What gives! 

Continue reading

Christ Our Hope in Life and Death

It’s been said that only two things are certain in life – death and taxes. But really only one thing if we’re being honest. You can adjust your deductions and even lose your job and your tax situation will change drastically. But you can’t escape the reality of death. It happens all around us. It sees as if death is knocking at the door of so many of our lives and we are having a hard time determining how to handle it.

Continue reading

I Will Fear No More

This week is going to be one of those weeks to be sure. Yesterday I received a phone call from my dad letting me know that my grandma (the one I call Omi) has started to walk down the road that will ultimately lead her into Jesus’ arms. It could be days. It could be weeks. It could even be months. There’s only one person who knows and he’s the reason we can fear no more.

Continue reading

Driving People to Drink

I love chips and salsa! I will frequently grab a bowl full of salsa and a bag of tortilla chips and sit down for a quick snack. But there’s one problem. Chips and salsa have a lot of salt in them! The more you eat the more thirsty you get. The more chips I eat the more water I need. It’s like a never ending cycle! Salt naturally makes you thirst and desire liquid refreshment!

Continue reading

Sometimes You Just Need To Speak Up

This week in worship it was time to get real. It was time to be honest, bold and hold nothing back. Our world is trying to rip the words of the Bible out of our hands. People are redefining terms to fit their agenda. And while all of this is happening, the church is sitting idly by minding its own business. But that has to end! And it has to end now. In this week’s message I spend a little time unpacking the reality of who we are as followers of Christ and what we’re supposed to be about in this life. We’ll look at a variety of ideals and how they are all impacted by God’s Word and design for life.

Formula For Success

Who doesn’t want to be successful? Some of you will put on your humble pants and step onto your soapbox, start wagging your finger and pointing out how this idea of successful living isn’t appropriate for a follower of Christ.  Put the finger away. Calm down. Listen up. I know this sounds a little self-serving and even completely contrary to what you would normally expect to read from a pastor, but hear me out. This week at Living Word Galena we’re talking how to be successful.  Continue reading

Rest

Ok, so if you know me at all, you’ll see the title of this post and immediately be curious if I have any idea what I’m talking about. And for those of you who don’t know me all that well – I don’t rest the way many people rest. In this post we’ll look at rest and try to determine if there is a right and wrong way to rest. Continue reading

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2024 derrickhurst.org

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑