ALL THINGS ARE NEW! When do we get to say that? Well, for our friend, Lowell Lundstrom, who
just walked into Heaven a few days ago … I’m sure he was excitedly speaking that
very phrase! All things are new … he had
to be overjoyed beyond words to have his very being infused with that glorious
newness that comes from being in the Presence of our Lord and Savior when we
get to our heavenly home! And knowing
Lowell as we do, words would not have been sufficient … I’m sure he wrote a new
song right there at the Pearly Gates!
And the first to hear it was the King of Kings that he wrote it for out
of passionate, eternal gratitude. But,
next in line, was the love of his life on this earth, his sweet wife, Connie,
who barely walked into heaven “seconds before” (in heaven’s time!) … and of
course, all of their parents, and other family and friends. What a joyous reunion … and it will never have
to end. They’ll never have to leave and
go back home. They ARE home! But the image I keep seeing when I think
about Lowell finally being “home” … is this sea of people who were also
standing there to greet him in a chorus of overwhelming thanks. You see, they were standing there because a
long time ago, as a gifted young teen in love with rock-n-roll, he said “yes”
to Christ. That day he gave it all up
and sold out to the One who was calling him to a different kind of “Rock”! They were standing there because he turned
his back on what could have been a career every bit as big as Elvis Presley’s
was – had he pursued that dream. He was
already on his way. But something
(Someone) got ahold of him … and things were never the same. Not for him – or for hundreds of thousands of
others. There they stood … because he
and his family, including his wife, children, and his siblings and their
families, were willing to live their lives on the road criss-crossing this
nation for decades, preaching the powerful message of the Cross and the empty
Tomb! Through good times and bad times,
through plenty and in want, through blizzards and burning hot summer temps,
through health and in sickness, with energy and in times of great fatigue …
they went. They never stopped. And rally after rally, and later in church,
Sunday after Sunday … people streamed to the altars every time that Lowell
preached the message and gave the invitation to come to Christ and become
new! Because they were willing to sleep
cramped in small bunk-beds on a bus, because they pushed through breakdowns on
the road, because they were willing to trust God for love-offerings to keep
them going … soul after soul was won for Christ for eternity. And there they stood … just days ago, throngs
of people. Men, women, and
children. Old, young, and in
between. Smiles covered their faces, and
their voices were raised in a crescendo of thanks as Lowell took his first
steps across the threshold from earth to heaven. What a sight!
What had been a struggle at times, what had been difficult to understand
at the end of his life – like the battle he fought with Parkinson’s disease,
all that had been a sacrifice … now in a moment was understood. And for Lowell, he answered back with a smile
that spoke so clearly, “It was worth it all!
For me … for you – all of you!
All things are new – for Eternity!
I would do it all again, just to see your faces and know that you’ve
been rescued from the clutches of hell!
I’d do it all again!” We’ll miss
you, Lowell … but you are finally Home!
Revel in the joy of being with your Master and hearing Him say as He puts
His arms around you, “Well done, Lowell, My son … All things are new … Welcome
Home!”
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
OUR SPECIAL THANKS to Wayne for ministering in the Sunday
service two weeks ago! You were a
blessing!
A WARM WELCOME to Randy, who worshipped with us for the first
time this past Sunday; God’s blessings to you!
BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Merv, who celebrates on August 5th;
may this be your best year ever!
SUN, JUL 29: 10:00 A.M. –
SPECIAL SUNDAY RALLY w/Larry & Gloria Lundstrom; invite everyone you know
to come and hear their anointed music and message – and for an opportunity to
accept Christ! Don’t miss out!
SUN, AUG 06: 10:00 A.M. –
WORSHIP & PRAISE; with a message on “God’s Spiritual Gifts; Do You Desire Them?”
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Johnny & Cherry, Jimmy &
Nancy, Julia, Liz, unspoken need, Seykoras, & Lundstroms
REMEMBER . . . “For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my
confidence since my youth.” Psalm 71:5
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
