October 10, 2015

The Shepherd's Corner

THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

When people told Jesus Our Lord that Lazarus had died, He said this, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” Last Monday two other God’s children went to sleep: Oom Samuel Hidayat, the father of Gladys, in Malang, and Oom Ping Tiauw, in Arcadia. As Jesus said, they have just fallen asleep. One day they will wake up and the first face they see is the face of Our Blessed Savior Jesus because He is the One who will wake them up. THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

When people told Jesus Our Lord that Lazarus had died, He said this, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” Last Monday two other God’s children went to sleep: Oom Samuel Hidayat, the father of Gladys, in Malang, and Oom Ping Tiauw, in Arcadia. As Jesus said, they have just fallen asleep. One day they will wake up and the first face they see is the face of Our Blessed Savior Jesus because He is the One who will wake them up.

There is one thing about “sleep” that I am sure we all know: We cannot fight it! We can only delay it but we cannot really fight it. When we are sleepy, what we need and what we should do is to fall asleep. And, so is it with death. Like sleep, we can only delay death but we cannot fight it. When it is time for us to die, we will—and we should—die. So, when the time come for us to sleep, just relax. When the time comes for us to wake up, we will.

I want to thank you, church family, for being there with those who grieve. When I met Gladys in Malang, she told me how much she appreciated the outpouring of love she received. And, I heard this same comment and appreciation from others, who grieved the temporary separation from their loved ones. As your pastor, I can only say, thank you. May the Good Lord bless you and keep you.

I also wish to thank you for releasing me to go to Malang and for praying for me. While there, I was honored to attend the funeral service of Tony’s father and to get to know his two brothers and mother, who have visited our church before. During the service, I also met Debrina’s parents, who attend the same church. So, for a moment it felt like another church service here in FIBC. Yes, we are after all a family of God, both on earth and in heaven.

Pastor Paul

There is one thing about “sleep” that I am sure we all know: We cannot fight it! We can only delay it but we cannot really fight it. When we are sleepy, what we need and what we should do is to fall asleep. And, so is it with death. Like sleep, we can only delay death but we cannot fight it. When it is time for us to die, we will—and we should—die. So, when the time come for us to sleep, just relax. When the time comes for us to wake up, we will.

I want to thank you, church family, for being there with those who grieve. When I met Gladys in Malang, she told me how much she appreciated the outpouring of love she received. And, I heard this same comment and appreciation from others, who grieved the temporary separation from their loved ones. As your pastor, I can only say, thank you. May the Good Lord bless you and keep you.

I also wish to thank you for releasing me to go to Malang and for praying for me. While there, I was honored to attend the funeral service of Tony’s father and to get to know his two brothers and mother, who have visited our church before. During the service, I also met Debrina’s parents, who attend the same church. So, for a moment it felt like another church service here in FIBC. Yes, we are after all a family of God, both on earth and in heaven.

Pastor Paul

More Shepherd's Corner Articles

The Shepherd's Corner - December 30, 2018
THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER During the first Christmas Santy and I served at FIBC, I stumbled upon Zechariah 6:15 in my daily devotion, “Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the Lord, and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you....
Read More
Shepherd's Corner - December 28, 2014
Something unusual will take place in the 2015 Tournament of Rose Parade.  The horse that is supposed to carry the Grand Marshal will have no rider on it!  Louis Zamperini, the designated rider, died on July 2 of this year, just weeks after he was named to be the 2015 Grand Marshal.  However in ho...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - August 1, 2021
Several days ago ABC News had a fairly long coverage of Indonesia’s grim situation.  I am sure it is not news anymore to us who have heard about what is happening there.  There is a dearth of oxygen supply, let alone respirators for the very ill.  People are building mass graves to keep up with...
Read More