No More Pain

No More Pain

Dear Champions,

 

Below are small excerpts from Ted Headlee, who last night lost his wife, Kristin Headlee, to cancer.   Like myself, Ted works at McCallie, and Kristin was employed here too.

 

Monday, December 7:

 

This past Friday, Kristin began hospice care. 

Her condition degraded noticably the Friday before Thanksgiving, when work ended for Break. The timing was providential as it allowed me to care for her 24/7 over the following nine days. I'm not a big holiday guy, but this was one I'll treasure. Thank you, Lord.

Last Tuesday our appointment Thursday confirmed what we expected. As her oncologist, Dr. Graham, held her hand and leaned over to look her in the eyes to tell her how sorry he was to bring her the bad news, Kristin was still Kristin. She told him we were okay, and began consoling him, telling him that he shouldn't feel bad, that she knew he had done his best, and that she was grateful to have had him as her oncologist. "I couldn't have been better cared for," she assured him, and I agree.

 

Fast forward to Tuesday, December 15:

At 7:08 PM tonight our Kristin stood before God, forgiven and accepted--not on the basis of her good deeds (which were many) nor her own goodness (which was remarkable), but--solely by the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to her by faith.

Sometimes you just want to say it all in one sentence.

Her death came gradually, painlessly, and without struggle. Dying is hard work for the body, and the athlete in Kristin has been apparent over the past 72 hours. Her care team had not expected her to make it through the previous night.

All is well.

 

What Christmas is about is that Jesus entered our world of pain, so that we can live in eternity without any more pain.  Revelations 21:4 says He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Champions, have a great week!-David Vining

Grace and Truth

Grace and Truth

Dear Champions,

 

The short excerpt is by Steve Chesnee, and the scripture is John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

 

God says, "I am forgiving, but I never let sin go unpunished.  I am absolutely loving and absolutely just.  I am full of grace and truth.  I forgive everybody, and I refuse to let anything go unpunished."  And when you hear Him say that, you say, "That's impossible."  And yet God says, "Unless you understand how I can be both, you will never see My glory.  That is the essence of My glory."  It's only in understanding what Jesus has done does that glory come.

 

Do you want to see how much God hates your sin.  Look at the cross.  It's where His anger boils up and overflows.  But in the same breath, do you want to see how much God loves you.  Look back at the cross.  That's where God says, "I love you so much I will come, and I'll take your place.  I will send my precious son to absorb the full blow and full penalty that you deserve.  I'll take it on my own head."  Is God a God of justice?  You bet!  Look at the cross!  It's where His justice and His love come crashing together, but the crash is not on your head.  It's on Jesus!  You see, the cross is where God says, I love you this much! 

 

Champions, have a great week!-David Vining