Powerful moments are passing through all the time.  This past weekend was the scene of such a moment.  I was presiding over the memorial service for Sharra (woman who grew up at FBC).  Her life was cut short by cancer.  She battled for several years winning, losing and gaining ground back and forth.  Finally it caught up with her in the form of brain cancer.  She was only 55 years old.  A really gracious and fun loving woman – truly full of life.

Her daughter stood and shared her love for her mom with all of us.  She’s only 13 and recently 13 at that.  Her voice broke at times and tears came.  She was accompanied by a young friend to the podium.  As she struggled to share with us her heart – her father strode from the front pew and gently put his arm around her – holding her and she him until she finished.

That was a powerful moment.  It spoke volumes to me about the nature of love, devotion, passion and grief.  Together, father and daughter gave us a picture of 1 Thess 4: 18.

Cancer and death still claim our bodies.  A war rages all around us.  Powerful moments like these remind us that we’re not losing; oh it may feel like it, but we’re not.  For in Christ we live.  In Christ we are victorious.

“That word above all earthly powers -
No thanks to them abideth
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also
The body they may kill
God’s truth abideth still
His kingdom is forever.”
- Martin Luther, 1483-1546
“A Mighty Fortress is Our God”