Cherie, Glenn and Christmas ...

These last couple weeks, just days before the celebration of Christmas, I have lost two close friends from my little Idaho community.

Cherie was a dear woman … a member of our church, a widow lady who loved gardening, loved her church, loved helping people, loved the small group she was in … and loved her God. She was 81 years old and apparently in good health. Returning from a meeting in the city where she was putting together Christmas wreaths, she had a massive heart attack and died instantly.

Cherie’s memorial service packed our little church and the atmosphere was full of love, warmth, memories … and hope.

But, the reason I felt compelled to write this was my good friend, Glenn. Glenn was my neighbor. He was a wonderful dad to his four children (with one more due in a few weeks), he was a hard worker, he was greatly interested in his family, the school and his community.

When I had an operation on my hand this last summer, Glenn made sure my lawn was mowed and was there for anything I couldn’t handle alone.

Glenn had a generic back problem that made it very difficult and painful to work … and work is scarce around this part of the country anyway. Glenn was worried that he couldn’t care for the family that he loved so much and made the decision that they would be better off without him.

He spent Sunday with his children, wrote each of them a letter and drove up the road for the last time. Glenn took his own life yesterday morning … leaving a family that he loved behind and breaking my heart. I have no idea what the service will be like or if they will have one … I just know I miss Glenn.

The difference between those two new stories for the Christmas season is HOPE!

Cherie and her family had hope in their hearts … hope that comes from knowing that there is life in the Lord … here, now and in the future.

Glenn had no hope … though he was a good man, he did not have the Lord to fall back on when the going got tough. He thought he had to do it all alone … he had no hope.

In this day and age our society struggles with the TRUE meaning of Christmas … much ink and paper has been wasted on the airing of theories for and against. But if one looks at the statistics about the heartbreak and agony that is unseen amidst the shopping, decorating, baking and partying, one will see that the great gift of the Christmas season that God gave to everyone who will accept it, is the gift of hope.

Without that gift, life can be tough, as it surely must have been for Glenn. But with it … we are offered the strength to make it … no matter what the circumstances might be. We just have to find it, open it and marvel in it.

If you haven’t opened the gift that Christ was born and died to give to you … personally … this is a great time to do it. Accept God’s gift this Christmas.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Larry Abele - Editorial Team

Christ is Risen! So what?

The cornerstone of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Historically, without the resurrection, the conviction that followed it, and the transformation of the lives of the witness, Christianity could not have survived in the hostile environment of the first century of it’s existence.

While there are a number of apologetic devices that can be used to establish the historicity of the resurrection, let me point out that the eyewitness accounts under the anointing of the Holy Spirit provide ample proof of the resurrection to satisfy an honest inquiring mind.

Now to that Question: So what? Here are a few biblical answers.

Because of the resurrection of Jesus, death will never have any dominion over him and those that are His by faith. Romans 6:8-11 CEV. As surely as we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with him. We know that death no longer has any power over Christ. He died and was raised to life, never again to die. When Christ died, he died for sin once and for all. But now he is alive, and he lives only for God. In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God.

The apostle Paul states that Jesus’ resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection. “But Christ has been raised to life! And he makes us certain that others will also be raised to life.” 1 Corinthians 15:20 CEV.

In his second letter to the Church at Corinth Paul writes: “In the Scriptures it says, "I spoke because I had faith." We have that same kind of faith. So we speak because we know that God raised the Lord Jesus to life. And just as God raised Jesus, he will also raise us to life. Then he will bring us into his presence together with you. All of this has been done for you, so that more and more people will know how kind God is and will praise and honor him.” 2 Corinthians 4:13-15 CEV.

We are born again to a living hope because of the resurrection of Jesus.

Peter, one of the major eyewitnesses to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ writes: “Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on.” 1 Peter 1:3 CEV

Paul Weresch
(This discussion will to be continued in further blogs)

Post Election Meditations ...

This has been a long and contentious process. i have been saddened by the tone of the discourse but not surprised. I even contributed to the snide remarks and predictions of failure. But now the American public has spoken. I will try to avoid discussing partisan politics because it polarizes and diverts people away from the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I did not pray for Bill Clinton during most of his Presidency. I did not respect him as the authority my sovereign God allowed to be in power. I said ugly things about him. In short, I sinned in my spirit and with my speech. During that time I put my trust in politics and not in God. I will not make that mistake again. I am maturing in my faith. I am more aware of who I am in Christ and that my trust is in God and not in government. That does not mean I will be apathetic.


For the past eight years I have heard incredibly ugly things said about President Bush. I completely understand that people disagreed with some or even all of his policies. But the hate was mind boggling. I will not be a part of that with President Obama. Mr. Bush will be judged by history and by God. President Obama will be judged by history and by God. I may disagree with the policies of any president but I will do my best to stick to policy and not engage in personal attack.


I was wrapped up in thought about the election the next evening when God gently reminded me that nothing changes in what I am called to do on the morning of November 5th. I am to spend the rest of my days passionately communicating that all truth is in grace and in grace is all truth. That is my calling and I pray that I can keep to that task.


Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

So my trust is in God and my hope is in Jesus.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace.

Whether you are happy or sad at the end of the day one thing is true. Nothing changes in the policies of God’s Word.

That’s my opinion and I pray that all my brothers and sisters in Christ will feel the same way.

Larry Abele - Editorial Team

(If you would like to stay current with prayer needs for our country and the Presidency, please check out the link to the right ... Presidential Prayer Team. I recommend it.)