December 6-13, 2010

And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21:2

If there is one thing I can relate to, it’s going home. Few things thrill me more than to see the lights of Phoenix after a very long trip. There are multitudes of cities with beautiful lights, but none have the same affect on me as the ones I see from the window of an aircraft as we approach Phoenix. What makes Phoenix lights more beautiful? I know what, or should I say who, is waiting for me when I get there!!!

For the past two years we have been on a beautiful journey together through the pages of The Book. We’ve been on mountaintops and trudged through valleys. We’ve cheered on the sidelines of victory marches, and cried in the ash heaps with those who’ve known defeat. We’ve walked with old friends that we’ve visited before, and gotten acquainted with some new faces that had previously gotten lost in the crowd. As we near the end of our trek through the Bible, once again I see the lights of the city that will someday be my eternal home. It’s the city Abraham longed to see. It’s the city where God promised David his eternal throne would be established. It’s the city that God said would be the joy of the whole earth.

As we fly through the darkness of the book of Revelation, we can sometimes lose the focus of its message. Yes, those will be dark and difficult days, filled with the wrath of God, but we have a promise that will keep us focused on the Light.

But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing. (I Thessalonians 5:8-11)

On our journey through the Revelation, let’s be sure to breathe in the fresh air each time we come to another worship service! When chaos is thrown to the earth, it causes the people of this world to groan and cry out. But angels see it from a different perspective; they see the fulfillment of what God spoke before creation ever began. As a result, their response is one of giving glory to God. The twenty-four elders and the multitude of saints quickly join the heavenly beings and recognize the Lamb who was slain, their Savior and Redeemer. In truth, even today, this is the only way to get through this kind of pain and sorrow. Within the past week I’ve watched a dear husband and wife lose their second child to a rare genetic disease. Their firstborn died when he was 5, their second son was 13. How does this mother who now faces the rest of her life childless cope with such pain? Let me give you a glimpse into her source of strength.

Today finds us a bit happy sad.... Peter went home this morning about 9:30. There were some hard moments yesterday and at one point last night he cried out, I just want to go home! (note – Peter died at home) And this morning God granted his request in a very peaceful way. We are rejoicing in Peter's freedom and know he's already getting reacquainted with Andrew and probably either shooting hoops or running bases. Yes, we now have to figure out the hard job of living without him, but we are amazed at the peace God's given us - as the Word says - it truly is a peace that passes all understanding.

Because He is Worthy....
Juli

GOD never said life would be easy.
He just promised it would be worth it.

But this story doesn’t end there. Let me give you a glimpse into the difficult nights this mother and grandmother face. These words are those of Marge Lubelczyk, one of Carpenter Ministries’ board members and Peter’s grandmother.

As I think over this past week, and it has only been a little more than a week since I came out (to help with Peter), I stand in awe of our God. His fingerprints have been everywhere. His grace has been more than enough. We are enveloped, or as one friend wrote, shrink-wrapped in his love. There have been difficult times of course, but there have been such wonderful times of glory. Last night I could not sleep. Around 2 am Juli knocked on my door. We spent a half hour just worshipping Jesus. Singing our hearts out until sleep became necessary. Much better than a sleeping pill. It has been such a privilege to be here during this most intimate time. Peter is a very special young man whose life has touched many and he in not through touching more.

Today Juli and I went to church to worship. (3 days after Peter’s death) We left after the worship service. It was truly wonderful to be in the body singing and praising our God.

My prayer for each of you is that, as you think about Peter, you will rejoice with him as he worships his God.

Juli and Marge have found the truth of what the book of Revelation is all about – In the midst of our greatest times of darkness, the Light of the World gives encouragement, peace, and salvation. Focus on the darkness and it will consume you. Focus on the Light and He will fill you!!!

As many of you know, I love the book of Revelation and I love teaching it. There are so many facets of it’s mystery that we could dwell on, but what I want to leave with you is the excitement of “going home!” As much as I look forward to the day I will see my dad again, to the time I will meet and get acquainted with my grandson Samuel Jade Gillette, and as eager as I am to spend time with Judson Cornwall, Truman Kelly, Fred Sperber, Frank Prainito and so many other good friends to whom I’ve had to say goodbye, there is only one Face that will make it heaven to me!!! I see His face in each page of the Word, which is why I will travel through it as along as I live. In this life I see through a glass darkly, but one day I will see Him face to face. The New Jerusalem is His city. He is the one who warms its streets and gives it life and light, and every part of my weary soul cries out, “THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!