State of the Union: A Call to Intercession

Political girl, I am not.  I am more comfortable talking about spiritual things.  But, sometimes, they have to mix.

Things are heavy on my heart, this week before the election.  People are out voting.  Our city is boasting a turnout of 10,000 or more already.  This is exciting!  We live in a free nation and we shouldn't assume that if we don't vote, people will hear our voices.

Did you know that the first mention of the word "prophet" in the bible is in reference to Abraham?  The context is that Abraham will pray for Abimelech, that God will turn around the curse of the empty wombs.  So, the very first mention of a prophet is someone that will turn away from their selfishness and apathy and intercede or pray on behalf of others.  Abraham wasn't even acting very wisely in this story, and yet God called him to pray.

I believe that as God's children, we can all act out our role as prophets through intercession.

Our nation needs it like never before, but most of us have our heads stuck in the ground like fearful ostriches that have forgotten they are the largest of their kind.

You are a child of God.  Your prayers mean something.  Don't let Satan tempt you towards apathy.  Don't believe that you aren't a powerful new creation with the holy living Spirit of the One True God inside of you.  Don't succumb to the lie that says you are powerless in this culture we find ourselves.

Our nation is in need of an awakening of sorts.  We need Jesus and we need him desperately.  Did you know that John Wesley preached before he realized he needed a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ?  He realized that faith in Christ is all that matters and God used him in a very powerful way.  The English church refused to let him preach once he came to this truth, so he started what was called open air sermons.  Lives were changed, thanks to the true gospel.

The idea of an "Awakening" implies a slumber or passivity during secular or less religious times.  {Wikipedia} We have grown accustomed to sin being painted all over the TV screens.  Last night, we had to tell Cade he wasn't allowed to watch one of his favorite shows anymore.  What started out as an OK show has now pushed the boundaries, testing how many viewers will keep watching no matter what they throw our way.  We are in a deep slumber, remaining passive in areas that used to perhaps make our skin crawl.

If God's own people won't stand for righteousness, then we are a country without hope.

I got to view the movie, 2016: Obama's America, last weekend.  Not the political type, I wasn't sure I wanted to waste my Friday night on a documentary.  But, it turned out to be the best thing as it showed me who Obama was as a child.  It brought him back to humanity for me, showing me that without a father, there are wounds that will display itself in various ways.  Perhaps for Obama, he always wanted the approval and love of an absent father which is why he adopted his methods of anti-colonialism (bring in wealth to the colonies that used to be run by other countries) and the removal of superpowers.  In light of this, it would make sense why he has the vision to decrease our military, allow our debt to get out of control, reduce our nukes by half, and not allow certain jobs like drilling in our nation. I don't say any of this to bash our President.  I believe his position of authority is God-ordained. 

God says that if we don't have wisdom, we can pray and He will be happy to give it!  I think this can apply to how to vote, as well.

In the meantime, let's get on our knees, knowing that God hears our prayers.

Because of God inside, you are more powerful than you know.  Don't just let your voting voice be heard.  Let your prayers be heard as well...the one who holds all things together...His ears are wide open.

"The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry." Psalm 34:15

12 weeks

Long time no blog!  I think I am turning the corner on feeling so icky, so praise the Lord!  We got to go see baby on the big screen (ultrasound) yesterday.  My heart was just so giddy as we were waiting.  I am so thankful for a bit of technology that has given me a tiny peek into our babies when they are inside developing.  It makes me that much more thankful for God knitting them together!

Here is our little bit!

 

Can you make out the torso, head, eyes, nose, mouth, etc.?  See its little hand and fingers up by its face?  So precious!  In another pic, you can see both of its hands up by its face, cradling it.  ahhh!

 

We showed the boys the pic and Eli saw it all immediately.  I am surprised he hasn't named this child, because he has an imaginative knack for that kind of thing.  He carries cotton balls around in his pocket that he names for crying out loud.  And just this morning, he showed be a whole new "language" he created where each letter of the alphabet has a symbol he made up.  He is just creative, I am telling you!

 

Instead, Sam has been the one to name this baby, lol.  He only calls it a girl and only calls "her" Millie.  He has been so sweet to me and to my belly.  He praises me for getting bigger...as if I have anything to do with it.  He insists he is having a sister.  Amelia (my sister) asked him what he would do if he had a baby brother.  He quickly replied that he would punch him in the face and stick him back into my belly.

 

whoa.

 

Our doctor got a look at the "area" yesterday...and before I even knew what he was doing, he gave a guess.  But, then he totally regressed and said it was way too early to tell.  If the baby cooperates, then we can find out the next time, which is Nov. 19th.  The boys will be out of school for Thanksgiving break, so it will be fun to let them come with us and join the fun!

 

{God, I am telling you that you have the heart of a seven year old boy to contend with who has prayed for a baby sister for years.  That's all I am saying...}

 

I was struck today while reading Psalm 139. 

 

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

 

The ESV notes say that the Hebrew for wonderfully made is "niple'ti" which means to be fearfully set apart.  It is the same thing as God setting apart his people and making a distinction between those that are his and those that are not. It says, "the faithful person singing this, who in the OT would be the child of faithful parents, can affirm that God set his special love upon him from the earliest stages of his personal life."

 

Goodness, I only have a glimpse of this baby.  I don't know its gender, its name, or what it will look like.  God, on the other hand, has set this child apart, sees its substance, has all of its days written in a book, and has already fashioned what it will be.  (Fashioned:  yatsar, to squeeze into shape, mold as a potter, or determine.)

 

He is the potter.  I am simply housing the clay.

 

Parenthood might be more simple if we saw this amazing sovereignty in the everyday lives of our children.

 

I see it if I look closely.  Cade, Eli, and Sam couldn't be more differently wired than if they had each come from different parents.  They have different giftings, different looks, different likes, and different bents.  When I peer closely, I can see how God has fashioned (molded, determined) them each to be something unique and all for His glory.

 

It will be fun to see what He dreamed up regarding this child.

 

We welcome your plan, Lord.

Zuppa Toscana, BABY!

Make the soup.  Eat.  Refill bowl.  Eat again.  Say, "My, how I am glad fall is upon us." 

http://www.annies-eats.com/2009/10/15/zuppa-toscana/

1.  Don't be afraid of the cream.  You need the dairy and the soup needs the cream.
2.  I reduced the red pepper flakes to 1/4 tsp. to keep it mild enough for the boys.
3.  There is something addictive about this soup.  Maybe it is the cream.  :)
4.  It is 8:39 am and I am trying to hold myself off from going to fix a huge bowl.
5.  There is a nice printable version on the link
6.  Happy fall, ya'll

A New Day

Sometimes you just need the dawn of a new day to hit.  And fast. 

That is what I was feeling yesterday.  It was my worst day of feeling sick and awful.  Every few minutes, I was gagging and making the dreaded vomiting sound.  The boys would look at me with tenderness and ask if I was OK.

I told them I felt pretty bad, but I was going to be alright.  Eli wanted to know if I did this while carrying all of them.  I think it was going to break his heart to think he might have done this to me!   I told them I felt bad with them, but nothing like how I am feeling now.  I think that made them feel a little better.

Being pregnant while having older kids has been both better and worse.  You don't have to do quite as much for them, so the fact they can bathe themselves, etc. has been nice.  The flip side is that they are involved in more activities, so I have to be out late (as in 7:30/8...and yes, that is LATE, ha!)  at night, so I am worn out and miserable every evening.  I don't seem to have time to take naps, so at about the six o clock hour, I am ready to either go postal or just sit down in a heap of tears and saltines.

When Eric travels, it is all just magnified.

All that said, I am so excited that God is giving us another baby!  The babyhood and small child phase goes so quickly and I feel blessed to get to experience it all again.  We prayed to have this child and we know it is a gift right from His hand.  But, that doesn't keep me from praying that the "12" week brings a little healing magic with it!

Today has been much better.  My mother in law made an emergency trip to the store for saltines for me.  Bless her soul.

The cup of coffee I allowed myself brought a new lease on life!

The windows are open and candles lit.  My sweet group of bible study gals came and blessed me with what God showed them about Sarai listening to her authority, Abram.  Life has just been better today.  And, I have the joy of knowing my sister is coming to see me this weekend!

Thank you, Lord, for your mercies that are new every morning.

Here is a pic from the internet that shows how big our baby is!

Soccer Champ!

Been so busy around here...we squeezed 5 soccer games in this weekend for Eli, but the end result was winning the tournament...way to go team "Argentina!" In the last game, Eli played either goalie or back defender the whole time.  I almost had a coronary cause I am a tad competitive.  But, he did AWESOME and only gave up one goal. 

{thank you Kiki for the pics!}

Baby Ty!

Our sweet friends, Erica and Andy had their first baby today!  Welcome Ty James....perfect in every way!  Erica did way-amazing.  I think she is superwoman.  She came to the hospital around 11 and had him at 3:11.  Ummm, that is pretty awesome for your first kid! Congrats guys! According to Sam, now you get to raise him!  :)

This last pic is of Ty next to Andy's baby picture.  hmmmm....someone may look like his Daddy!

The Kitchen House

Have you read this book?  I thought it was amazing.  It is pretty heartwrenching, but it leaves the reader with hope.  The characters and storyline will stay with me for a long time.  If you enjoyed "The Help," then this book might appeal to you.

Any good books you have read lately?

Threads of Mercy

One thing that our new bible study (Chronological Bible Teaching) is teaching us is to start recognizing certain threads that run throughout the bible.  We are only through the chapter about Cain and Abel and I guess the thread that has been jumping out at me is the mercy of God.

Right before the fall, we see Eve engaging in a conversation with one of the created beings.  Hebrew calls the animal "nachash" which means snake.  The snake is described as "arum" which means cunning, subtle, and crafty.

Perhaps her first error was forgetting who God had created her to be.  She forgot the authority system God had in place.  She was supposed to rule over the animals and instead, she allowed an animal to rule over her.  She obeyed a creature instead of listening to her husband (who was probably the one to tell her the expectations of the Creator.)  Adam was in charge of her care (so much so that he was responsible for naming her) and yet, Eve never once went to him or God himself while the enemy was tempting her.  If she needed clarification on what was true, she certainly didn't seek it out.

The snake sought out the vulnerable and made subtle suggestions that caused her to doubt God's word.  He then stepped back while humanity spun out of control.  He wanted others to rebel just as he did.  He wanted others to stab at God's heart...just as he did.

Adam and Eve both partake of the fruit.

And then they hid.

God's mercy comes quickly into play.  He could have immediately cast them out of his presence.  He could have given them the silent treatment for the rest of their days.  Instead, he starts asking Adam (since he is the authority over his wife) questions that are meant to lead to truth and repentance.  The word "LORD" is used in these passages which references God's personal name, Yahweh, which means that God is still wanting relationship with this couple that has been created in his image.

By the way, when God asks "where are you", "you" is singular in the Hebrew.  God confronts Adam because he is holding him responsible for what has occurred.  Being the head of our home is not a job description I want! I will gladly submit!  :)

We see Adam and Eve run to hide, grabbing leaves to cover their now-known nakedness.

God is quick to tell them that leaves won't suffice.  Their sin has cost much more than that.  It will require something good, with lifeblood, that God created, to die.  I wonder what it did to God's heart to slay something that he had delighted in while creating.

His mercy towards mankind was great.  I found it interesting that what God covered them with was skins, which is "owr" in Hebrew.  It basically means the hide or the leather.  God clothed Adam and Eve in hide so they would no longer have to hide.  Later on in God's story, Jesus clothed himself in human hide (that would also be slain) so that the hiding could be cancelled forever.

Next, we see God's mercy in casting them out of the garden.  I used to think that God was just being vengeful, but now, I can see the thread of mercy.  If he had allowed them to remain, and they had eaten of the tree of life, then they would have remained alive in their sinful state forever.

God knows how miserable and unbearable that would be.  His mercy cast them out.

We still see God's mercy at play.  He allows Adam and Eve to conceive, bringing hope to the the promise that there will be a "seed" to crush the head of Satan.  Cain and Abel enter the picture, but things don't get better.  I imagine that when Eve took that bite of fruit, she had no idea of the complete ramifications of her sin.

Most of us never do.

God had established the pattern of how he was to be approached.  It was to require the life of an animal.  Abel brought such a sacrifice.  Cain did not.

Instead of shunning Cain from his presence, God decides to give Cain a second chance.  He warns him.  He graciously convicts.  In his mercy, God tells Cain that if he will do well, he will be accepted. God was offering conviction, not condemnation.

It is as if God's heart is crying out to Cain, begging him to get it right the next time, because deep down, God really wants to have relationship with Cain.

But, the spirit of bitterness, anger, and jealousy consume Cain.  He is angry at God, but takes it out on his brother.  Sin masters him and the first murder has occurred.  Sin had its consequences and Cain was driven away from the presence of the LORD.

Cain, never repentant, but always looking out for self, cries out that someone will kill him if he leaves the area.  In His mercy, yet again, God decides to mark Cain so that no one will be allowed to murder him.

We see God's mercy in a different way back with Adam and Eve.  Abel, their "good" son had been taken away.  God intervened, allowed them to have Seth, which would be a new hope for the promise of a seed that would crush Satan.  Seth means "Substitute."  He was not only the substitute for Abel, but his line (from which Jesus would come) would be the means for the substitute for our sins, as well.

 His mercy is great and knows no bounds. 

Lord, give us eyes to see it!

The Heart for Adoption

Adoption is nothing new to my ears.  My older brother was adopted.  So, before there was me or my three younger siblings, my parents had the heart to bring Devin into their family.

My parents rescued him around the age of one.  Even though Devin was from Arkansas, his living conditions were third world at best.  They provided him food and shelter, discipline and grace, gospel and roots.  They gave him their name.

While watching my parents nurture and raise him, I quickly realized that adoption is never the easy road.  It took a lot of understanding.  A huge dose of grace.  Patience that had to come from God Himself, and love that must have shattered their hearts a thousand times.

Adoption has to be a calling.

Eric's brother, Lee, and his wife, Kelli, feel like God is calling them to adopt a little girl from Russia.

I know they would love for you to be a part of their story as they are in the long journey of bringing her home.

Will you follow their dreams here?

Sweet Baby

We got to see our sweet baby yesterday!
 
It's little heart was just fluttering away.  It absolutely amazes me that something the size of a kidney bean or grape has the same (but growing) heart that will carry it through all of its days. God is just too big!

Looks like we may be getting a Cinco de Mayo baby! Official due date is May 5. {This should make Bugs very happy cause I think this is one of her favorite holidays.} 

I feel pretty sick, but not hugging the toilet...so grateful for that.  I shot a wedding Saturday and only about hurled on the bride's dress just once.  :)

If you need some entertainment, the vitamin show at the eight o' clock hour is sure to make you laugh for days on end.  {They usually end up spewed on the counter with whatever else I am trying to wash them down with.}

Cute story about Eli:  He got in front of his class during prayer request time.  He told them the request was for me...since I was having a baby.  Then, he quickly switched gears and said that he might be the one needing prayer if it turned out to be a girl.  love that kid.

Sam's Salvation Story

Last night, we got the boys in bed.  Eric prayed.  I left the room pretty quickly, but Eric stayed for whatever reason.  Come to find out, Sam wanted to ask Jesus to be his Saviour!

Eric talked about what sin was.  Sam recognized his need for someone to come and forgive him so he could know God and go to heaven one day.  So, he took a brave step and asked the Lord to be his Lord!

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:10

{Thank you Jesus for answering our prayers!  What a blessing to know our boys walk in truth.}

Their Responses

Last Saturday was a sweet time that I will always remember.  It was the day we finally got to tell the kids we were having a baby!  They had been wanting one forever and we finally were going to share the exciting news!  By the way, keeping it a secret from them for two and a half weeks was so hard! 

 

We told them by allowing Sam to open his "I'm the big brother" t-shirt.  We made him sound it out and read it.  He then looked at us and said, "yeah, I am big."  As in, yep, I am a big boy for my age, I know it! 

 

Then we gave Eli a stab at it.  He read it and asked if that meant that Sam got to boss him around now.

 

Then, Cade read it.  Clueless.  Hilariously clueless.

 

So, we basically had to spell it out for them.

 

YOU ARE GETTING A BABY BROTHER OR SISTER.

 

Here were their sweet facial responses:

 

I am still a little in shock that I will have a baby next year and then two months later, have a teenager.

Gulp.

Gulp again.

I think this pregnancy is going to be hilarious.  After all, the boys are older and asking a ton of fun questions.  We already got this one from Sam:  "How is that baby going to come out of mommy's tummy?"  To which Eric said God had a special way but he wasn't old enough to know more than that.  To which Sam said, "Well, I am seven now.  I am old enough."

Gulp again.

Currently, Eli is the only one holding out for a brother.  Sam is convinced it is a girl and only refers to "her" with the female pronoun. He has named her Sally.

Gulp.

It is going to be a fun pregnancy for sure.  Especially when I get over this wanting to hurl feeling.

Baby Stuart is the size of a pinto bean.  The ears are forming as well as the tip of its nose.  In its heart, the aortic and pulmonary valves are present and distinct.  It has elbows and the arms and legs have started to extend out.

Here's a sweet pic I stole off the internet!

Hi baby!  We love you!

You know, the big announcement.

This first pic was Sam's favorite birthday present!

 

 

We couldn't be more thrilled!

Happy Birthday Sam!

We love you, big guy!
You fill our days with side splitting laughter!
We are so blessed God gave you to us!

The Possum

1.  Apparently, the possum didn't get carried off by an angel in the night.

2.  Apparently, the possum crawled just a few feet to die under a thick bush.

3.  I know this by the smell that makes me want to hurl every time I enter the sunroom or open the back door.

4.  I am not touching it.  Period.

5.  My son Sam is indeed a prophet.  After all, he told me the other day that possums stink.

6.  It is true.

7.  I'm ready for my man to come home from traveling all week.  It has been the longest week ever.

8.  Have a great weekend.

9.  Pray we don't die from the fumes.

hugs,
becke'

***update*** We (as in Cade alone) went out with a shovel and gloves to get rid of the critter, but we (as in Cade alone) can't find him anywhere!!!  We (you get the idea) think the the stinky possum is under the concrete step (tiny hole where it could have crawled underneath.)

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

The end.

In the Beginning

Man, I've been enjoying our bible study!  We are doing something called Chronological Bible Teaching.  It is question driven, causing us to dig deep and think instead of just skimming over a passage and assuming we understand all the ramifications.

Yesterday, we talked about Genesis 1 & 2.  What delight God showed while creating all the things He deemed good.  He instantly set up systems of authority.  He is a God of order.  He wanted the lesser light to rule over the night, the greater light to rule over the day, man to rule over animals, and God Himself to rule over man.  He had the seed and plants in place before He ever created animals or man.

Have you ever wondered why He took His time in creation?  I mean, all He has to do is speak and it is.  He could have simply said "Let it be" and all the beautiful ideas coursing through His mind would have come to instant fruition.  Instead, He orderly did one thing at a time.  I think He enjoyed the process!

His slowness in this creation process allows us to see things about God that we may have missed had He simply done it all at once.  We wouldn't see that He had already provided (food) before there was a need (hungry mankind and animals.)  What journey are you on right now that seems slow, but is allowing you to see part of God's loving kindness and rich character towards you?

One of my favorite things to ponder was that the reason behind why God was creating the earth filled with such good things.  It wasn't so that He could create and then walk away.  His purpose for this beauty filled earth is that it would become His dwelling place.  The ESV study notes say it beautifully!

"As reflected in various ancient Near Eastern accounts, divine rest is associated with temple building.  God's purpose for the earth is that it should become his dwelling place; it is not simply made to house his creatures. The concept of the earth as a divine sanctuary runs throughout the whole Bible..."

He was creating a place where His glory would be evident.  A place where He could dwell among mankind and be worshiped by everything.  He was creating His temple.  His sanctuary.

Right after creation is finished, and He has rested, He brings us a new way to know Him.  He is not just Elohiym.  He is not just creator.  He calls himself LORD is Genesis 2:4.  Anytime we see LORD in all caps in the Bible, it is the Hebrew word Yahweh. 

It is God's most personal name. 

He wants us to know that He has come to dwell among us and be relational with us.

He doesn't create and then abandon, leaving us to go on to something else.

He creates.  And then the really fun part happens.  He personally invites us into His big plan.  He shares some responsibility with us because He wants to walk alongside of us.  He wants us to recognize  His glory in all things.

The Weekly Funnies

1.  Sam and Eli will sometimes crawl in bed with me when we have a few more minutes to sleep in.  Often, we will tell stories as we are trying to wake up.  Sam's story started like this:  "The wild ass loves his momma."  I told him he better use the word donkey from here on out.

2.  Last night, I let Savannah (a RETRIEVER) out one last time for a potty break.  She took her time wanting back in.  I heard a bang at the door, went to check it out, and she had brought me a present.  A half dead possum, that is.  Right at my back door.  It was moving its mouth slowly open and shut as little cries left its mouth.  It was awful and pitiful.   An angel of God removed it from my back door while I slept.  That is all.

And a happy Wednesday to you. I pray your little wild asses love you fiercely and that God keeps the possums away.

Walking Pharisees

We are walking Pharisees.

It is our natural tendency.  We make up the rules as we go, tricking our minds into thinking we are living lives of truth simply because we obey the rules. 

As long as they are our rules.

I remember someone telling me once that I could put soap on my Pampered Chef Stone cooking sheet if I only left it on there for a few seconds at most. 

The Pampered Chef lady said to not use soap.  But, in this person's mind, she had justified using soap to wash her Stoneware.  So, she made up a time limit of how long the soap could be on there in order to justify her actions.

She made up her own rules because she didn't like the way the real rules read.

The Pharisees took simple God-given rules and changed them into rules that would make them look better to the public and to themselves.  They gave specific regulations for how to live life.  They refused to associate with sinners.  When the law said not to work on the Sabbath, they defined what was or wasn't work.  Their lives became full of empty ritual as they did their best to follow the law perfectly.

The Pharisees' spiritual disciplines such as prayer and fasting were on display for all to see.  Didn't they know that God looks at the heart?

They had one singular problem.  They sought to stand in their own righteousness instead of the righteousness of God.

I wonder, when we start making up our own rules, are we just striving to stand in our own righteousness instead of being secure in what Jesus has provided and done for us?

I caught myself just yesterday making up a rule and justifying my actions.

I wondered where this tendency has its roots.  God whispered that it began with Eve.

When Satan was tempting her in the garden, Eve tells him that they must not eat the fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor must they touch it, or they will die.

God never mentioned that they should not touch the fruit.

From the beginning, we have been making up our own rules.

Will you ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas where you have made up your own rules?

Be free in Christ.

Stand on His righteousness alone.

Have you read it this way?

There are a whole lot of awesome versions of the Bible out there.  I can't seem to pick my favorite...NIV, ESV, KJV, Message...yada yada.  I guess I love it all cause it is all the same thing!

Buuuuuut, have you ever tried reading the bible this way?

This is the One Year Chronological Bible.  Basically, it takes the Word and puts it in chronological order instead of book order.  It puts the Bible in the order that the events actually happened. 

Cool, huh?

I like how it puts related passages all together so that you can read one story in different books of the bible all at once...to see how they complement one another. For example, when Saul is threatening David's life, it will have all these recordings (Ps. 5 and 59 and 1 Sam. 18:1-20:42) listed together.

Cool, huh?

It kind of blew my mind when I got to only day 5 and we started into Job.  Think about this.  According to Iva May, Job only had the stories of Genesis 1-11 to "build and reinforce his faith in God, which enabled him to persevere through severe trials."

All he needed was eleven chapters in order to remain faithful to the One True God.

We get the whole Word...the complete sha-bang, and Lord have mercy, we need help every single day to remain faithful.

Well, here's to knowing His story like He intended...in order.

Death Hovers

Death hovers over the city like a wool blanket in the hot summertime.  Stifling, we wish to throw it off and jump in the cold shower, praying the cool stream will remove the nightmares that have entwined with the thick oppression.

The flood waters claimed one of our own.  One not quite initiated into teenagedom.  One still viewed as his mother's forever baby boy.

Our hearts are heavy.  We are tempted to beat against the Sovereign One's chest and question whether He is good.  The boy had his whole life ahead of him.

God wants to tell us it is perfectly acceptable to beat against His chest.  He invites us into the wrestling arena.  Only then will we come away with His true character.

A character that is, indeed, always good.

I am reminded in this grief filled time that Jesus hates death.  When His friend Lazarus died, his anger is compared to the snorting of a horse. Go here for why Christ hates death.

It was why Jesus entered our sin sick world, disguised as one of us. 

So death wouldn't have the final say.

So life would win in the end.

I am the resurrection, and the life:  he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.  John 11:25

Part of me is tempted to say a gazillion spiritual platitudes but I know that none of this matters in the beginning.  In the beginning of grief, you just want the world to stop and recognize the one you achingly loved.  Will forever love.

So, Walker family, please know that in our minds, we have purposed the world to stop.  We honor your son, Drake.  We stop to pray.  We stop to surrender to God's plan.  We stop to beg for His mercy. 

Today, we refuse to let the world keep spinning. Today, we simply stop.