What to say?

I got a phone call earlier today from my Mom and had one immediately followed by my Dad. A friend of mine from way back to kindergarten died yesterday. I'd like to say we stayed as close as we did when we were in elementary through middle school. But we still kept up with one another some. Last time I saw him was this summer where he worked. His name was Michael Helgren. I'd ask if you would to be praying for his family with me.

When a friend dies it gets you to think quite a bit. It did for me. My thoughts went straight to Ecclesiastes 12:1. I've written about that verse on here several times. I cannot forget that verse. "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, "I have no pleasure in them." We have but one life here on the earth to glorify God. We must make the most of that for his glory and our pleasure. (When the two are one in the same.) Michael was just 21 years old and a professed believer in the Lord Jesus. I know that one of the things Michael and I would talk about as we were in the years of High School was Jesus. He served in his local church and even worked at a local Christian bookstore. I thank God for Michael's faith and his desire for ministry in the church.

I just got off the phone a bit ago with his Mom. She's dazed right now I think, just taken back by all of it and rightly so. She told me she knows the Lord is with her and that he has a plan and will use whats going on. I'm thankful for that. There is hope in that. There is always hope in Christ Jesus for his kingdom stands forever and for Michael eternity is a life enjoying God forever in His presence.

Not all of us seem to take our time of youth seriously for the glory of God. Being a teenager or a twenty-something does not make one invincible. For it is appointed for men once to die and then comes judgement. Beloved if you are 12 or if you are 92 and reading this, remember your Creator. We get one life to make an impact for the kingdom of God here on earth. Don't waste it. Try to love the Lord with all of your heart, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself.

The second phone call I received was from my Dad. It was about the first phone call I received. It started out with him saying "um" over and over for about 45 second. (He can't talk well due to his stroke, but this was a bit long even with his aphasia.) Michael's death really stirred my Dad up. My Dad and I have a different relationship now that he's had his third stroke. Roles have changed a bit, he's much like the son now and I'm much like the Father. There are a lot of times that I'm not viewed as my Dad's son, but almost as his enemy now. This is because I've tried to be a loving son, one that is looking for the best for my Dad. I am the one with the iron fist that says he has to do the things the doctors have required and says no to the things that will obviously hurt him. It's odd and not very pleasant if I can be honest. My Dad has been very violent with me over the last semester. This is not the Father I knew before the stroke. He never did and said the things he has done over the last five months or so. I understand it is the stroke. But today he called to tell me several times over that he was sorry for everything that had happened this semester. I really didn't expect that. Certainly not today, not in light of what happened with Michael, not really at all. But I'm thankful, very very very thankful. I love my Dad, a lot! I hate seeing him act in a way that "isn't him."

Solomon speaks to this in the same context of 12:1 when he said "Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity." in the previous verse. I think my Dad removed a lot of the vexation from his heart today. Youth and the beginning of life are fading away like the wind. Make the most of it for the glory of God. Love God and those around you. Pray with me for Michael's family and friends.

solideogloria, semper