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Ed's letter to his congregation - 9/3/96
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
"We do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, Or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again And so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, We tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, Will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, With the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, And the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds, To meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." [ I Thessalonians 4:13-18]
As I write, it is my sincere desire to encourage you in the face of some of the darkest days and nights through which you and I have ever been called to walk. It is not my intention to present astounding new insight, but only to remind you of what you already know is true. I have found that even at the recurring points of deepest grieving and overwhelming emptiness and loss, the Spirit of God has brought profound calm and comfort--and in so doing, He continually draws my gaze back to Himself and leads me to the sweetness and richness of worship, My heart resonates with Job's, "The Lord has given, the Lord has taken away. BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD." (Job 1:21).
There is no calm, no peace, except that which comes when we humbly, yet deliberately, choose to lift our hearts in worship of the almighty, infinitely good and wise One who loves and pursues us with immeasurable and unending love and compassion. For He WILL give us "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of despair." (Isaiah 61).
I thank you for your kindness to my family over these past days and weeks. Our God, in His mercy, has surrounded us with you, and in so many ways has softened the blow of Amy's illness and death. Thank you for praying faithfully for us during the intensity of this last year (please don't stop). Thank you f or your graciousness in allowing me the freedom to be at Amy's side during her last days. Than you for your generosity in the love offering taken for us--through it, the Lord have provided for uncovered medical expenses. Thank you for the tender care and hospitality you showered upon my extended family by providing meals and accommodations as we gathered for Amy's burial and memorial service.
But thank you most of all for loving us and treating us as family. Truly, this has become home to my children and me. As I look to the days ahead, it goes without saying that I am somewhat overwhelmed--not only by the additional responsibilities of being both a mommy and a daddy, but also by a staggering sense of inadequacy to fulfill those roles while serving as your pastor. In all candor, I'm not sure how the Lord will provide and enable, I'm simply trusting that He will. Pray with me to that end. Pray also that He will provide a person perfectly suited to take over Amy Hensarling's position when she leaves at the end of the month. And pray that the Lord will lead us clearly to those who will meet the staffing needs here at the church.
I hope to see you at worship this Sunday. Lord willing, I will resume preaching at the morning services, while still relying on guest preachers at evening services in the immediate future. Pray that the Lord will fill my heart with the richness and beauty of Himself, and in so doing, may He refresh us, revive us, and irresistibly draw His own to Himself. Don't let the potential impact of what God is doing in advancing His Kingdom among us be wasted in you life. Come to Him in humility and brokenness. Ask Him to reveal to you the true character of your heart. And trust Him, with me, to amaze us all by the unleashing His power, and the manifestation of His glory.
The anchor holds
Ed
Thou hast done for me all things well, hast remembered, distinguished, indulged me. All my desires have not been gratified, but Thy love denied them to me When fulfillment of my wishes would have proved my ruin or injury. My trials have been fewer than my sins. And when I have kissed Thy rod it has fallen from Thy hands. Thou hast often wiped away my tears, Restored peace to my mourning heart, Chastened me for my profit, And I praise Thee.
prayer from "The Valley of Vision"
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