Everlasting Place
  • Home
  • One way
    • Proof
  • Sadie Sparrow
    • Sadie Sparrow Excerpt
    • Author Chat
    • Articles
    • Book Reviews
  • Memoir
    • Memoir Excerpts
    • Reviews, interviews & endorsements
  • Blogs
    • Eternal eyes: a blog about forever
    • Golden years: a blog about the elderly
  • Old folks
    • Planting tips for Christians
  • Messages from Chris Carrillo
  • Library
  • Bookstore
  • Contact

The final wake-up call

9/30/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the varying paths we travel to death. Understandably so: I’ve already bid farewell to three great friends this year.
 
Two of these dear people left us after the proverbial “brief illness.” Their deaths were sudden, and unexpected, and as far as I know, not once prayed for by their loved ones.
 
The third died after weeks of excruciating pain. In this case, I’m quite sure that all who cared about him beseeched the Lord to bring an end to his suffering, to take him ever so gently Home.
 
Over the years, I’ve watched other close friends travel far longer and more arduous paths under the burden of diseases like Alzheimer’s, MS, and Parkinson’s.  
Thankfully, I no longer complain about such trials, demanding to know (and refusing to consider) how a good God could allow such suffering and sorrow. Instead, the Lord has used these deaths to bring me back to His word.
 
To Romans 8:28, for example: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
 
And to Romans 1:18-20: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”
 
And to Psalm 51:16-17: “For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God …”
 
The Lord uses death to break our rebellious spirits. To bring contrition to our hearts. To cause us to examine the truth He has written on our hearts. And to work together for the good of those who are His, or will be.
 
He certainly used death in these ways in my life.
 
My mother’s Home-going was not sudden. She died after years of failing health – years that had drawn us as close as two people can be when they occupy different spiritual planes. So close that, when she died, I, still an ardent atheist, was forced into a relentless quest for truth. It turned into a 15-month quest that forced me to evaluate and reject every major religion and worldview until, finally and irrevocably, I found myself at the cross of Jesus Christ.
 
I believe that the Lord does something like this every time He calls someone in death – that He brings the dying and the bereaved to the precipice of forever so that they will ask the most important question of all: “Where am I going to spend eternity?”
 
Sadly, the majority will opt for a Christless forever, choosing instead the impossible task of paying their own sin debt; as Jesus said, “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14).
 
Maybe those who ultimately reject Christ are simply too in love with their sin to fear final judgment, or too lazy to seek truth. Maybe they are too arrogant to believe there could possibly be just one way to heaven, or too self-righteous to accept a place of eternal punishment.  I could write volumes about each of these attitudes; they surely characterized my thinking throughout my atheist years.
 
But finally, the Lord used death to bring me up short, to cause me to look up rather than to myself for the answers – answers that He graciously provided in the wake of instantly forgiving my entire sin debt.
 
I submit that He is doing exactly that every time He issues the call to eternity. Whether that call is unexpected or long-anticipated, I believe it’s all part of His plan to do whatever it takes to capture our attention once and for all.
 
The Lord does not waste death. Nor does He let anyone head into eternity without issuing a final wake-up call.   
2 Comments

Time-traveling to better days

9/21/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
One of the joys of befriending elderly Americans is discovering what the world used to be like, in those saner years before we Baby Boomers started turning everything inside out and backwards. These are mostly men and women who were themselves raised in Christian homes, with a belief in the resurrection of Jesus, the divine origins of the Bible and the existence of absolute truth. Even if they themselves rebelled against the authorities in their lives, most of them seem to believe in God, in good and evil and in the critical importance of living a moral life, as a prelude to some sort of final judgment.

Over the last 17 years, while drawing close to so many of these lovely people, I’ve also had the pleasure of reading some of the literature they grew up with, or raised their own children on. And one of my favorite discoveries has actually been a rediscovery of a series I was exposed to as a child. 

I came across this series a few years ago through a wonderful Colorado bookseller I met when we were both doing some writing for a Christian ministry.  Her name is Karen and she has a terrific ebay store called Karen's Living Books; it features rare and out-of-print children’s books.  

For years, I’d been haunted by the memory of a Bible-based story about a young brother and sister who befriended an elderly neighbor who had, until their gracious overture, frightened them. I asked Karen if it rang any bells with her, and it did not -- at least, not immediately. But months later, while on a walk, she had a brainstorm; could I be remembering Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories? She just happened to have one volume in stock, and sent it to me. 

Bingo! My long-remembered story was not in this particular volume, but everything about this little book told me that indeed Karen had hit on it – the illustrations were right, each story came complete with a biblical moral, and even the tone was exactly what I remembered.  

I devoured the copy Karen sent me and have done the same with several others that I've found since then -- in the process, time-traveling to my own innocent and very happy childhood and finding there hope for a joyful forever. (I'm personally of the belief that the Lord gives us moments of joy in this life to point us to the endless joy of His eternal kingdom.)

And there was to be a bonus as well: I stumbled across a series of youtube videos in which charming twin sisters take turns reading these stories for the camera. Alas, Mary and Molly are all grown up now, so I guess there won't be any new Uncle Arthur stories from them. But their videos are still available on youtube. And how wonderful it is to know that there are still children being raised in this country with such a love for the living God. 

My elderly friends' world is still alive and well, at least in some neighborhoods. And thanks to authors like Uncle Arthur, we can all step back into it whenever we please. 
0 Comments

Go ahead -- make her day!

9/9/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Would you like to help make an enormous difference in the life of a lonely resident of a long-term-care facility? 

Then why not volunteer soon at your nearest nursing home? Simply give the facility a call, ask to speak with the Activities Director, and then explain that you’re interested in helping him or her out in any way you can.

Here are some idea-starters. See anything you’d enjoy? 

  • Visit residents regularly to develop relationships conducive to sharing the Gospel
  • Offer to read to someone who doesn't see too well anymore
  • Conduct regular Christian services for the residents – a Hymn Sing or formal church service
  • Support Activities by pushing residents to and from scheduled events, delivering mail, putting up or taking down decorations, alphabetizing the library – whatever’s needed
  • Serve as a wheelchair pusher on field trips to, for instance, the zoo
  • Lend a hand in the garden throughout the growing season, helping out with planting, fertilizing, dividing, weeding, watering
  • Conduct a regular Bible study for two residents or twenty, using one of today's readily available discussion guides or favorite books, such as Phillip Keller's Shepherd trilogy
  • Help with or develop a hands-on craft program featuring your favorite craft
  • Get your dog trained in Canine Good Citizenship and visit residents who so miss being around dogs
  • Teach residents the basics of email, one on one
  • Do manicures
  • Offer to shop for toiletries or nightgowns or whatever else is difficult for a facility-bound resident to buy
  • Make and bring “just like fresh, only better” silk flower arrangements to selected residents
  • Raise funds for Activities through your own social or church network – for instance, to sponsor indigent residents’ participation in a field trip or restaurant outing
  • Offer to help with a task that requires a lot of staff time, but no special training – e.g., word games or Bingo
  • Make it your business to identify individual resident’s interests, and then address those interests with books, videos, articles – whatever strikes your fancy

I can almost guarantee you an experience that will reward you as richly as it rewards the resident you call upon!
0 Comments

What's their story?

9/4/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Of my four grandparents, I knew just one – Meta Bendt Foth, AKA Granny, my dad’s mother. The other three died long before I was born, and my knowledge of them is miniscule. 

For instance, all I know about Granny’s husband – pictured above with her at the turn of the last century – is that he fought for Kaiser Wilhelm II, the last German emperor, and immigrated to the U.S. sometime in the 1920s. That’s about it; I don't even know when he died, or where, or of what.  I know absolutely nothing about his parents, or hers – not even their names. And the time for asking has long since passed. 

I don't suppose it makes much difference in the greater scheme of things. All that really matters long-term is where we each spend eternity, and that has nothing to do with how much our descendants know about our lives. 

But perhaps these thoughts suggest a great way for today’s young people to spend some quality time with those who are still with us, particularly their parents and grandparents. 

Here’s the idea: Next time you have a chance, grab a pen and notepad (or laptop or whatever else people use to take notes these days) and interview each one. Ask for their vital statistics, of course, from date and place of birth to their hopes for eternity. Then ask them about the people, places and events that shaped their lives – for example:

  • Who were their parents and siblings, and what happened to each of them?
  • Where were they during World War II, or the Korean or Vietnam War?
  • When and how did they meet their spouses?
  • How about their faith, and their church lives?
  • Who influenced them most, personally and perhaps professionally?
  • Who were their best friends?
  • How did they like to spend their free time at various ages?
  • What apartments and houses did they call home over the years?
 
And so on and so forth. Just imagine the stories you’ll hear!

Then consider documenting each conversation by writing up your notes and displaying the finished text in a scrapbook, complete with appropriate graphics – family snapshots, maps, even historical photos found online.

​What a wonderful gift such a scrapbook would be for the special people in your lives today, and for you, years down the road, when you get to thinking about the good old days. Which you almost assuredly will, sooner or later. 
​
0 Comments

    Kitty
    Foth-Regner

    I'm a follower of Jesus Christ, a freelance copywriter, a nursing-home volunteer, and the author of books both in-process and published -- including
    Heaven Without Her.

    Archives

    December 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Care to subscribe?

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from Anas Qtiesh, quinn.anya, skippyjon, gagilas, ulrichkarljoho, Schleeo, djpoblete09, 00alexx, NathanPeck, Riccardo Palazzani, MaartenEyskens, jfinnirwin, romana klee, bundesinnung_ha, theglobalpanorama, Street Photography Addict, StockMonkeys.com, Robert Agthe, Genista, Neillwphoto, frankieleon, RamónP, National Eye Institute, Pink Dispatcher, Tony Webster, quinn.anya, Peter23394, anna gutermuth, neovain, Keith Allison, lewisha1990, Phú Thịnh Co, byzantiumbooks, avlxyz, eastmidtown, 593D ESC, simpleinsomnia, mcohen.chromiste, Pictures by Ann, Stampendous, loop_oh, tedeytan, TipsForComputer.Com, ssilberman, pedrosimoes7, forayinto35mm, Never Edit, GlasgowAmateur, weiss_paarz_photos, Borya, The Graphic Details, robynejay, allenthepostman, quinn.anya, u.hopper, fallingwater123, Alyssa L. Miller, Vincent Albanese, homethods, ponyQ, Braiu, CNE CNA C6F, oakenroad, Tim Evanson, medisave, irinaraquel, Steve Ganz, Nieve44/Luz, roscoland2, One Way Stock, Film Star Vintage, ulrichkarljoho, anieto2k, meaduva, Homini:), campbelj45ca, Nicolas Alejandro Street Photography, Hades2k, Alyssa L. Miller, Carlos Ebert, @Tuncay, kms1167, Petful.com, m01229, jonrawlinson, Brian Smithson (Old Geordie), Blogging Dagger, fechi fajardo, SurfaceWarriors, Leah Abernathy, evans.photo, brianna.lehman, mikecogh, Ejuice, christine.gleason, Free Grunge Textures - www.freestock.ca, Derek Bridges, ulrichkarljoho, One Way Stock, Matt Cunnelly, nandadevieast, cathyse97, quinn.anya, faungg's photo, Lars Plougmann, C Jill Reed, johnthoward1961, mcohen.chromiste, hardeep.singh, physiognomist, ulrichkarljoho, 401(K) 2013, Very Quiet, BromfordGroup, garryknight, Official U.S. Navy Imagery, acasasola, mrbillt6, simpleinsomnia, johanSisno, GollyGforce, Jo Jakeman, Mire de rien, Chris Mower, lotopspin, Marlene Rybka Visualizing & Photography, RLHyde, jez.atkinson, orionpozo, quinn.anya, global.quiz, Public Places, alubavin, drs2biz, espensorvik, ♔ Georgie R, h.koppdelaney, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, Images_of_Money, ttarasiuk, TheArches