Craig Clouston

Today I am posting two devotions. The first is about the loss of the life of a close friend of my children...the second is about my granddaughter's birth, giving us the ability to look at this day with the fullness of love in our hearts...we said goodbye to one life and welcomed another. May these devotions give you pause to think about your own relationships, and those of your friends and family, where Jesus is concerned.

Return to the Father

He ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Luke 15:20

As the young evangelist looked out over those who had come to mourn, he spoke of eternal life through Jesus Christ. At one point, he paused and appeared to be wrestling with something. As he lifted his head, you could sense the battle within was over. “I’ve struggled over whether to share this or not, but I’ve decided I must.

“In my short time of pastoring, I’ve not performed many funerals. Yet, in that short time, I have performed way too many for men from Brinkhaven.”

Weeping could be heard as an acknowledging murmur ran through the church; family members of those he had preached funerals for were present today.

“I’ve decided that to remain silent while young men choose to go their own way, rejecting God’s offer of salvation, would be wrong. Men, today you have a chance to change that. You can return to the Father as the prodigal did, asking Him to make you one of His own; not a second-rate citizen, but one of His own, an heir to His throne!” His voice broke with the passion of his plea. It wasn’t hard to grasp that he did not wish to preside over another unnecessary death.

“Frank was a man of faith, his life dedicated to God. Is yours? If not, I ask that you do something about that today before it’s too late.”

“Amen!” and “That’s right!” echoed through the sanctuary as the evangelist nodded his head. God had taken what the enemy meant for evil and had used it for good.

†

Premature death is too frequently the consequence of poor choices, consequences that are not mandatory. Pride and rebellion are costly, deadly if we treat with impunity God’s offer of eternal life.

That offer remains on the table until we take our final breath. At that moment, we lose any chance of choosing where we will spend eternity.

Until that time, God waits with arms wide open, watching for those who are lost to return.

Prayer

“Lord, I’m weary from all the mistakes I’ve made. I want a new life in Jesus. Forgive my sins and make me one of Your own. In Jesus’ Name and by His blood, I surrender my life today. Amen.”

Celebrate Today!

a time to be born and a time to die… a time to weep and a time to laugh

Ecclesiastes 3:2, 4

It was approaching midnight and the crowd in the waiting room had dwindled to a handful of people. The long hours awaiting my granddaughter’s birth were filled with an extended dialogue between my wife, Nancy, my son, Eric, and me.

Eric and Lindsay’s childhood dominated the conversation. We laughed as we recalled events, each account bringing fond memories. As happy and laughter-filled as these memories were they were overshadowed by one particular event that evoked only sadness, and a sense of premature grief. Eric and Lindsay had lost a childhood friend in a tragic accident on New Year’s Eve a few years ago.

But on this night restoration of celebration was taking place.

“You know what tomorrow is, right?” Eric said.

“Yep. Linds and I were talking about that last week,” Nancy responded.

Eric looked at the clock on his iPhone, “It’d be fitting if Lindsay waits twenty minutes to have Jozlyn.”

Knowing the significance of tomorrow, I joined the conversation, “Frankie would have been what, thirty-five?”

“Thirty-six,” Eric said, still saddened by the loss of his close friend.

“It’ll be bittersweet, but it’ll be a great reason to celebrate November fourteenth again,” Nancy said, bringing the thought full circle.

†

One life ends, another begins. Such is the uncertainty of our days upon this earth. Psalm 139:16 tells us the day of our death is a known point in time. Yet, we tend to treat this fact with impunity. We’d rather not consider such truth...and because of our denial we take today for granted.

Today’s text reminds us that life is cyclical. We are born knowing we will one day die. This knowledge should motivate us to appreciate the present with the passion God intended. His desire is that we greet each new day with a desire to know Him better while finding joy in what we do.

November fourteenth hadn’t been ‘celebrated’ in a long time. However, with Jozlyn’s birth, our children once again had reason to laugh and rejoice as the memory of a close friend took on new meaning.

Prayer

“Lord of life, thank You for the miracle of life and the gift of today. Help me celebrate this day with purpose. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”