The room was filled with family and friends, but the atmosphere was gloomy and the infrequent conversation was in hushed tones. He appeared to be asleep, but his labored breathing told the story: he probably wouldn't last the night. Occasionally his eyes would open, but there was a dullness in them that spoke of pain and pain killers and impending death. One sat at his bedside, gently stroking his hand. They all knew this day would come, but wished it could be at some distant point in the future.
I thought that our website would be a good place for people to send their greetings to Pastor Kirkey. You can do so by replying to this post and we'll make sure he sees them.
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.
I did a double take when I read these verses in John:11:5-6 the other morning. It was because of that little word "So" that appears at the beginning of verse 6 in the New King James translation. It has been omitted in the KJV and in many other versions, but it's there in the Greek. The word has the same meaning that we usually give it: "therefore, consequently, accordingly, these things being so, et cetra." I began to meditate on why the Son of God, loving Mary, Martha, and Lazarus as He did, would reveal that love by waiting two more days before going to see them, and I think I've arrived at the answer, or at least one that my finite understanding can grasp and comprehend.
We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions. (Lev:19:18'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I [am] the LORD.; Matt. Read more
