Heading to Heaven!

Holding My Hand

August 23, 2024 dbirsch

I’m convinced that hands were meant to be held. Consider how wonderfully two hands fit together, and how wonderful another’s hand in yours feels.

Generally, when a hand is held, it is held with good intention, bringing special blessings. Sweethearts hold each other’s hands because they want to maintain contact. Fathers and mothers hold their children’s hands when in a crowded or dangerous place, or when they want to lead their young ones somewhere. Loved ones hold the hands of those they love when those they love are hurting. Teammates clasp hands together in a power grip when a good play is made or a game is won. We even shake hands upon the conclusion of an agreement, or when greeting or leaving people, both of those we know well and strangers.

Holding hands in one way or another is so common that we rarely consider how special it can be.

But it is special. And especially for those like me whose “love language” is touch.

This is not lost on the Lord. In his holy Word he gives us multiple examples of hand-holding. And not just routine human-to-human hand-holding. But God himself holding the hands of his beloved people.

Before we dive into that concept, it’s important that we establish another hand-related issue. Illustrations of the “Lord’s hand” permeate the words of Scripture. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of examples where “the hand of the Lord” is mentioned.

It is a hand of limitless power. The Lord declares, “My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together” (Isaiah 48:13).

It’s a hand that brings destruction to the enemies of God and God’s people, (Jeremiah 21:5), and it is a hand that brings profound blessings to God’s faithful. (Psalm 144:7).

Best of all, God’s hand is a hand that brought about forgiveness (Isaiah 40:1-2) and salvation. “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him” (Psalm 98:1).

Perhaps a sterling summary of this repeated illustration of “God’s hands” is contained in this marvelous psalm of praise:

“The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: ‘The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!’” (Psalm 118:14-16).

But the Bible goes beyond general references to God’s hand. The Lord makes it much more personal in a number of passages.

The Lord refers to the deliverance he brought to his people when he led them out of Egypt by the hand (Jeremiah 31:32). It’s a deliverance he still brings to his people.

In a similar vein, Asaph the psalmist writes about the guidance God gives us by holding our hand, both through this life and ultimately into the life to come! “You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.” (Psalm 73:23-24)

Isaiah shows us the Lord holding our hand to comfort us in our fears. “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13). We need not be afraid because God’s strong hand is one that supports us, no matter the circumstances. “I cling to you; your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:8).

And over-and-over-again, Jesus showed his love for people during his ministry by touching them or taking their hand. The Savior actually touched an “unclean” leper (which nobody at that time did!) and cleansed him of his disease. (Mk. 1:40-42). He took Peter’s mother-in-law by the hand, healed her of a fever, and helped her up to her feet. (Mk. 1:30-31). He held a blind man’s hand in Bethsaida and led him outside the city to have a little privacy as he restored his sight. (Mk. 8:22-25). He enfolded the hand of Jairus’ dead daughter and raised her back to life. (Mk. 5:38-42).

What incredibly comforting examples of the Lord Jesus actually holding people’s hands! What a picture for us to treasure, for the Lord still holds our hands as we stumble our way through life.

And then there’s this stunning revelation from our Savior: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28).

Thank you, Lord, for holding my hand! And thank you, Lord, for holding me in your hand, and never letting go!

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Isaiah 41:9-10, 13-14
I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. … For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid … do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”

Psalm 98:1-6
Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn — shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

Psalm 73:23-26
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

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A Joyful Jesus?

August 17, 2024 dbirsch

Some of my favorite portrayals of Jesus are of him smiling or laughing. When viewing Jesus like that, he seems to become more human … more loving … more approachable.

Yet, there are no mentions of Jesus smiling or laughing in the Gospels. Can we still assume that he did?

In my mind, there is no question about it. Undoubtedly Jesus shared light-hearted moments with his mother, stepfather and siblings growing up. Similarly, with those with whom he was close, like his disciples, and Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Furthermore, I can’t imagine the Lord looking at eager, bouncing, smiling children whom he loved dearly (Luke 18:16) and not smiling back at them.

But there is no reference of Jesus smiling or laughing in the four Gospels. I am convinced that this was not because it didn’t happen, but rather because the Holy Spirit moved the gospel writers to focus primarily on his key statements and astounding actions instead. Jesus’ kind heart was clearly portrayed, so the happy facial expressions that would naturally follow were a given.

Can I “prove” it? I think I can.

The proof begins with John 1:1&14, where Jesus is clearly referred to as “God” and as “the Word” who “became flesh.” That is, Jesus was the embodiment of the words that the Holy Spirit had given to the Old Testament prophets (and ultimately ALL of God’s words!). Jesus was the living fulfilment of them!

Therefore, when you read a passage like Zephaniah 3:17 – “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he … will rejoice over you with singing” – we can safely assume that the delight and rejoicing Jesus experienced over those who believed in him often brought him to smile upon his followers. He smiled because Jesus was the Word (the embodiment of God’s truth!), and therefore One who delighted in and rejoiced over those who were being saved.

Or in the words of the psalmist: “The LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns [them] with victory” (Psalm 149:4). This incredible “victory” he was winning would naturally lead to Jesus, (the Word!) grinning over and at his people.

And how could the loving Savior not smile as he spoke forgiveness to those clinging to him in faith? When he said to the paralyzed man, “Your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5), would it not be natural for Jesus to be smiling warmly? The prophet Micah writes that the Lord “delights to show mercy,” so he “pardons sin” and “forgives transgression.” (Micah 7:18). As the Son of God embodied God’s Word during his ministry on earth, surely his delight in forgiving showed itself in smiles as he forgave.

Even on a simpler level, I have no doubt our Savior smiled at the beauty of creation that he, the Father and the Holy Spirit formed. A gorgeous sunset, a graceful deer, or a newborn baby likely … at least on occasion, and perhaps often … brought joy to his lips. “The Word made flesh” would certainly “rejoice in his works” (Psalm 104:31), as God’s word declares.

Yet I submit that the thing that brought the greatest joy to Jesus’ heart was likely the last thing that would come to our minds. Consider this remarkable passage from Scripture: “For the joy set before him [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Even in his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane while Jesus as true man begged his Heavenly Father to remove the burden of suffering from him, Jesus as true God rejoiced at what was about to be accomplished. Even amidst the torment of his body being beaten, torn and pierced, Jesus had joy. In the excruciating suffering of crucifixion, he had joy.

The work of saving sinners was being completed, and this filled Jesus with delight.

I doubt he smiled during those dark hours of suffering, but his heart overflowed with rejoicing nonetheless. And a few days later, surely Jesus smiled as he exited the tomb on Easter morning … the price paid, the victory won, salvation for sinners secured.

Finally, and perhaps best of all, we can be certain that it will be a smiling Jesus who welcomes us into heaven when God calls us home. (Isaiah 65:19). And we will be smiling too!

What a joy to know we have a joyful Jesus!

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Origin: Hell — Destination: Paradise

August 10, 2024 dbirsch

A few weeks ago, my wife and I were able to unexpectedly break away for a mini-vacation. We only had a few days, so our options were limited. We decided to head north and visit/revisit some popular locations in Northern Michigan.

While attempting to pull out of a convenience store north of the five-mile-long Mackinac Bridge, we were forced to wait significantly longer than anticipated. We had the unfortunate timing of attempting to resume our journey while a convoy of over 400 motorcycles rolled past us. (Over 400!)

Consider that number for a moment, and the amount of time it would take for them all to pass by on a two-lane highway. And that didn’t include their multiple support vehicles which chugged along behind them with four-way flashers on. I was told by a gas station clerk further up the way that the actual number was about 440 bikes.

She also filled me in on why they were there. It was a ride organized by the “American Legion Riders” to promote veteran PTSD awareness among the general public.

The primary organizer was Scott Igo, who is the Director of the American Legion Riders at Post 3 in Sault Ste. Marie. Scott is a navy veteran himself, having served for five years on board the Aircraft Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln from 1993 to 1998. He also deals with post-traumatic stress himself.

A number of other organizations, companies and individuals recognized it as a worthy cause to support and added their resources to facilitate the event.

The riders’ route? From Hell to Paradise.

And yes, there is indeed an official community in Michigan named “Hell.” There is also a Paradise, Michigan. (In case you’re curious, neither place quite lives up to its name.)

The reasoning for the origin and terminus? Scott Igo explains: “When a person is battling PTSD you feel as if you are in your own personal hell. Each individual that is fighting is looking for that place they feel safe. A paradise of sort.”

The unincorporated community of Hell is located about 15 miles northwest of Ann Arbor in the “Lower Peninsula” of the state. There are multiple suggestions on how the place came by its startling name in 1841, but no one knows for certain. Paradise is also an unincorporated community on the northeastern portion of Michigan’s “Upper Peninsula,” situated on the western side of Lake Superior’s Whitefish Bay.

342 miles separate the two communities. Well over 400 bikers made the trip, beginning in Hell and arriving eventually at Paradise.

If only it were that easy! Jump on a bike, point it north, rev it up and ride out of hell and into salvation.

And yet, because of the sacrifice of Jesus and through the work of the Holy Spirit, it is!

What does the Lord tell us in the Scriptures? “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned …” (John 3:16-18a).

Jesus himself said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).

That’s the route from damnation to salvation; from hell to heaven; from doom to a reservation in a room in God’s home – hear God’s truth and believe God’s truth that Jesus, the Son of God, has saved you. When the Lord brings this about, a person’s spiritual itinerary has been rerouted! Hell is in the rear-view mirror and Paradise fills the view!

Both Hells are real places. The eternal hell is indescribably worse than the earthly one. Both Paradises are real too. The forever one is unimaginably better than Upper Peninsula one.

Thanks to the 400-plus bikers who made that journey for PTSD awareness a few weeks ago. But greater thanks to the gracious God who put us on the spiritual route from hell to paradise. The spiritual ride is often temporarily rough, but the destination is forever wonderful and worth it!

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Our Unchanging, All-Sufficient, Always-Providing God

August 3, 2024 dbirsch

It’s a bit disconcerting, actually. But it doesn’t matter how we feel about it, or how the simple truth can amp up our anxiety. None of that alters a thing.

This one principle always remains and never changes: everything is always changing. And it’s typically not changing for the better.

There’s even a scientific law that describes this process! According to the second law of thermodynamics, “systems” naturally change from order to disorder. The fancy, shmancy term for this is “entropy.”

There’s no shortage of examples of the second law of thermodynamics. Leave a building or a yard untended over time and observe what happens. A brand-new vehicle doesn’t improve in performance or appreciate in value through the years. Even our bodies and minds fade over time. As many will confirm, make it past middle-age and “it’s all downhill from there.”

I’m not trying to be negative or provide anyone with a “downer” today. I’m simply stating the reality that everything in this world is always changing. Everything in our lives is always changing!

Usually the changes are minimal or even unnoticeable, yet change is still occurring. Sometimes though the changes may be sweeping.

Now it’s certainly true that not all change is bad. Some changes can bring profound blessings. And we know that our God is always working “all things for the good” of his children (Rom. 8:28). However, often enough entropy rears its nasty head and the changes occurring aren’t so good. And even the positive changes are typically still stressful.

Like everyone else, I have certainly gone through many changes in my life through the years … some of them significant. Confirmation. Starting at new schools away from home, and ultimately graduating from them (3 times!). The death of loved ones. Marriage. The birth of our children. Health issues. Changes galore!

But as I write this, I stand (well, sit actually) between two of the most significant life-altering events in my life-story. These changes precipitated other changes, all rolling together into some of the most epic and stressful periods of my entire life.

On August 5, 1990, I was ordained and installed as pastor in a congregation in Tacoma, Washington. This necessitated a move across the continent. It also meant that I was no longer anticipating being a minister one day; I now WAS one for real!

Then, almost exactly 33 years later, on July 9, 2023, I was installed as the new pastor for two congregations in central Michigan. Which necessitated a move back across the continent! (But with a LOT more stuff this time around!) Not to mention selling a house and buying a house wrapped into the mix.

There are a multitude of lists suggesting the most stressful things in life, and there is a fair amount of variety on those lists. Nevertheless, selling and buying a house, financial uncertainty, moving, and starting a new job make most of the “most-stressful” lists, and usually rank quite highly on them. My wife and I checked them all off in two majestic life changes!

At those flashpoints of our lives, almost everything in our lives changed. Almost everything! And almost completely! Looking back on how our lives were altered in both of those situations leads me to stunned amazement.

However, reflecting on how the Lord worked everything out along the way leads me to absolute awe.

I can’t fathom how he managed it – other than that he is a great God, of course! – but both times the Lord provided for us wonderfully and completely. Our heads were spinning, (still are to some degree), but God had (and has) everything under complete control. There are still a few pieces that need to fall into place currently, but there is no doubt that our God will fit those pieces in at right time. He always has; he will again.

And that’s the most wonderful truth for you and me! Even when everything in our little world seems to be changing, and even changing dramatically … our Lord never does!

He is always … constantly and unchangingly … almighty, all-knowing, ever-present, eternal, and good. He is forever faithful. He is continually loving, merciful and compassionate. He is all-sufficient to us in every situation; always providing for our every need. And thankfully, this will never, ever change!

“The Father … who does not change like shifting shadows” (Jms. 1:17), and “Jesus Christ [who] is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8), personally assure us that the Triune God is unaffected by entropy! “I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

There is immense joy and profound peace that comes from recognizing that our God is unchanging … AND all-sufficient … AND always-providing. Because in this ever-changing world, it is wonderful to have an Eternal Rock and Mighty Fortress who never does.

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Abounding in Thanksgiving

July 25, 2024 dbirsch

My wife and I are getting away for a few days, (something for which I’m very thankful!), so here’s this week’s post … a little early!

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I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I definitely don’t thank God enough for the blessings he has showered into my life. Perhaps you can relate, and can sidle next to me on my bench of shame?

I am so very, very blessed by God! And you are too!

It would be completely appropriate for me (and you) to be engrossed in an ongoing prayer of thanksgiving. But … that hasn’t been my custom.

The problems, the challenges, the obligations and responsibilities I hold, and the hassles, frustrations and busyness of life keep me distracted – and keep the words of thanks silenced in both my mind and mouth. Satan and my sinful, selfish flesh strive (effectively!) to keep me more focused on the negatives than the positives – which, of course, doesn’t encourage thanksgiving.

But thankfully, there are moments when thankfulness bursts from my heart; occasions when profound gratefulness overwhelms all the other distractions.

Like when I reflect yet again on the Lord’s love for me … a love that moved Jesus to step down to earth, not to be acclaimed by earth’s residents, but to be rejected by them. To be crucified by them for them – for you, for me!

And when I remember that though Jesus died, he didn’t stay dead. He rose off the cold, hard burial shelf, exited his tomb and ascended back to his heavenly home to prepare a place there for you and me.

Yet, his blessings aren’t only future blessings to be experienced someday when we transition from this world to the next. His love impacts us every day with his abiding presence, guidance, provision, protection and peace.

These spiritual truths move me to abounding thanksgiving!

As does a difficult, even impossible, situation resolved solely through God’s intervention. Or a close call where it was clearly God’s strong hand that kept me from being hurt (or worse!). Likewise, when someone dear to me was miraculously spared. These definitely elicit thanksgiving to a gracious God!

But day-to-day activities can sometimes prompt the same response. Nature especially has this effect on me. A hike in God’s creation, a spectacular view spread out before me, a glorious sunset, experiencing the woods waking up on a deer stand, or the lake easing into night on our dock – these elicit thanksgiving too.

Sometimes it’s just “normal” events. My latest experience of this was when our entire family was together at our new “house on the lake,” as we have come to call it. As I looked around me, seeing precious family members … as I listened to loved ones’ voices all around me … as we interacted in conversation and activities … I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving over and over and over again. How good is our God!

There are definitely circumstances that naturally pull thankfulness from our souls. But I want thankfulness to be a natural part of my everyday existence!

Even when something goes wrong. Even when the car breaks down, or the funds are falling low, or the stresses are mounting, or the body is struggling or failing. Because even then our God is good! Our God is always good! And his love and faithfulness to us never ever ends.

As I consider this, it seems to me that focusing on the word “always” might be helpful. The Lord is always faithful, so we can be always thankful.

In fact, sometimes God’s greatest blessings come through our greatest hardships. It’s difficult for us to see it that way. Especially in the midst of those challenging moments. But it’s true nonetheless.

When we recognize this wonderful truth even in the valleys … when we trust our good and gracious God even in the storms … then we are “not anxious about anything,” but have “the peace of God that transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:6-7).

It’s a peace centered on our all-sufficient Lord; it’s a peace that fosters abounding thankfulness … no matter the circumstances.

“… Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-20).

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Undefeated Forever

July 20, 2024 dbirsch

No one stays undefeated forever. A team might manage it for a season (Miami Dolphins – 1972), or for several years (UConn women’s basketball – 111 wins in 2016-18). A reign of dominance might even extend for centuries (Roman empire).

But no one and nothing remains undefeated forever. Except, that is, for God!

Job described the Lord, the ultimate victor, this way: “But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases” (Job 23:13). The Lord himself asks, “Who is like me and who can challenge me?” (Jeremiah 49:19).

There has never been a time that the Lord was overmatched; never a situation where God lost control. In fact, there’s never been a situation where events began to slip even a smidge from the grasp the Almighty. The outcome on anything (and everything!) has never been even the slightest bit questionable for the Heavenly One.

No enemy has ever run roughshod over God; none have ever vanquished Him. Satan and the rebellious angels – spiritual beings of immense wisdom, power and abilities – gave it their best effort, and were cast from the heavenly halls as a result (Revelation 12:7-9). They didn’t defeat the Lord then, and though they’ve been trying ever since, they still haven’t managed it. Nor will they.

And if even the demons can’t overcome God, all the puny efforts of humans certainly won’t. Mortals have been opposing the Immortal since the beginning of time. Not a single one has come close to knocking the King from his throne; none have made the slightest advances against him.

This simple truth has profound ramifications – for the world, for our nation, for the Church, for our family, and for each one of us individually. History – all history – is “His story.” All of it is God fulfilling his glorious plans for the advancement of his Kingdom and for the benefit of his grace-blessed people.

“The Lord Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.’ … For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:24&27).

Even when it seems like God is losing, he’s actually winning! There are a multitude of examples of this in the Scriptures, but the most significant one can be seen by looking to the horrific suffering and death of Jesus. Jesus’ seeming defeat was the most glorious victory in all of history! (His story!)

The God who controls everything has never lost control. Never once. Not even a little. Nor will he!

God does not weaken or waiver. He does not get distracted or neglectful. He is never overwhelmed or overcome. He is never uncertain or uniformed; no one and nothing has ever “ambushed” God. No circumstances surprise the All-knowing and Almighty or are beyond his capability to control or conquer.

The Lord’s dominance is such that Satan has to ask God’s permission to afflict God’s people; nothing can or will be done by the enemies of God unless God allows it (Job 1:9-12, 2:4-6). Any evil that reaches us must go through the Lord’s protective barrier first (Ps. 18:2).

And if we are afflicted, it’s because God has a loving reason for it (Rom. 8:28) which we may or may not come to understand in this life. But we will someday (1 Cor. 13:12), and we’ll praise him for his love and wisdom (Rev. 7:9-17).

Why do bad things sometimes happen to God’s people? We usually don’t understand. But we know that our God knows, AND we know that he loves us beyond our comprehension!

We also know that our God is undefeated, therefore we are comforted that things … that we … will be OK because the Lord our Savior is on our team. That makes us victors too!

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Goodbye to Goodbyes

July 13, 2024 dbirsch

This post is somewhat of a biyearly tradition. I shared it four years ago and then again two years ago … both times after visiting family in Michigan. Almost exactly two years later, I am posting it again.

Things are somewhat different this time around as my wife and I now actually live in Michigan ourselves. All of our children and grandchildren (and almost every one of our children’s spouses), gathered in our new home in our new (old!) state this week. It was the first time in years we were all together.

The last of them just left. Which means we said a lot of painful goodbyes yet again, so it seems appropriate to share these thoughts yet again. As always, I pray they bring some insight and encouragement to you.

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I hate goodbyes. But then almost everyone does, don’t they? Goodbyes to loved ones are rarely “good byes.” In those situations, the word is the ultimate oxymoron.

This is a fresh and sensitive topic with me. Recently I found myself saying goodbye to all of our immediate family members.

They arrived at different times and left at different times … providing a 2-day window when we were all together. (Because of various circumstances, these precious visits occur only very occasionally for our family.)

Naturally, this initially led to multiple and heartfelt hellos. Every new arrival brought joyful greetings of one kind or another; warm hellos springing from the shared bond of faith and family. Vibrant hellos and hugs that reflect blood ties and past experiences, and which anticipate the wonderful things that the coming moments together will bring.

I love hellos. Especially hellos to those people embedded deep in my heart. But every hello in this world ultimately leads to a goodbye, doesn’t it?

Of course, there are a multitude of things to which we sooner or later bid adieu. Houses, cars, places, experiences, jobs, schools … even previous health and appearance … can all merit “farewells” as we meander on through life. And then there are those gut-wrenching goodbyes to our pets. Make no mistake, some of these goodbyes can foster high emotion.

But the worst goodbyes of all are the goodbyes to people we love.

Why are goodbyes to loved ones so difficult? Well, we thoroughly enjoy our time together. Consequently, goodbye means a pause in those joyful moments, and often bounces us back to the reality of our other responsibilities and less enjoyable activities.

However, that’s not the fundamental reason we hate goodbyes. The real reason is very simple; we abhor goodbyes because we don’t know if we will be together again in this world. The uncertainties of our earthly existence are ever-present in our awareness, and we all recognize that sooner or later there won’t be another hello.

This inescapable fact rocks us. It makes farewells to loved ones we rarely see agonizing. But it even lurks in our consciousness with our day-to-day goodbyes … as much as we try not to think about it. One can’t live a few years in this uncertain world without recognizing the uncertainty inherent in goodbyes.

My purpose in writing about goodbyes is not to bring anyone down. Rather I want to underscore a few key points that I have fallen back on as I negotiate painful farewells.

Here’s the first one: The fact that a person has agonizing goodbyes means that God has blessed them richly with dearly-loved family and friends. Every close relationship in our life is a precious gift. Each difficult goodbye we must endure simply emphasizes how profoundly blessed by God we are.

The second significant aspect of painful earthly goodbyes is that they encourage us to eagerly anticipate the day when there will never be any more goodbyes, but only hellos forever and ever. This is such a foreign concept to us earthlings that we can barely consider it or comprehend it.

But the day when God ushers us into heaven marks the end of experiencing goodbyes and the beginning of an eternity of hearing only hellos! “Hello” to the Lord himself and Jesus our Savior. “Hello” to the multitude of angels. “Hello” to the great men and women of faith from the Bible and history. “Hello” to our ancestors who lived and died in Jesus. “Hello” to our family and friends who preceded us to heaven. And “hello” to every family member and friend who follow us there! Never again will we say “goodbye.” Only “hello” over and over again forever and ever.

The Apostle John was given a glimpse of this wonderful heavenly home where goodbyes are gone and hellos predominate.

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain [or goodbyes], for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:3-5)

A goodbye to goodbyes. Now that really will be a “good bye!”

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The Simple, Unimaginable, Incredibly Comforting Truth

July 6, 2024 dbirsch

Usually I know what I will write about for “Heading to Heaven” when it is time to write it. Almost always it becomes clear as the week progresses. But this time around I drew a blank.

Not adding a weekly post certainly wouldn’t be the end of the world … for you or for me. Still, I wanted to follow through, if possible. As I contemplated the situation and the potential subject matter, I finally asked myself, “If you wanted to share the one most important thing in simple fashion, what would it be and how would you word it?”

Here’s what I settled upon: you are incredibly loved by God.

This is a simple yet profound truth. It is summarized beautifully (and simply) in the words of the children’s song: “Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so!” (And do not doubt that the message applies to adults as well!)

Simple enough. Simple even as can be.

But this truth plays out in so many different ways in our lives beyond the cross that the concept becomes complex. Incomprehensible even.

David delved into the reality of God’s active involvement and presence in our personal lives – for ALL of our lives. In the process, David was led to profound awe. Here are his words. Read them slowly and dwell on the magnificence of our God!

Psalm 139:1-18
¹You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. ²You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. ³You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. ⁴Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. ⁵You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

⁷Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? ⁸If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. ⁹If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, ¹⁰even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

¹¹If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” ¹²even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

¹³For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

¹⁵My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. ¹⁶Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

¹⁷How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! ¹⁸Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you.

Do not miss the love of God embedded throughout those words!

The Lord has been intimately involved in our lives from the moment we began to exist inside our mothers. He knit us together fearfully and wonderfully in the womb, and he already knew then when he would call us home to him.

In the meantime, he knows our every thought, the very words we will speak before we speak them, and what we are doing at any given time.

But so much more than that! Our Lord surrounds us with his presence – hemming us in “behind and before.” He is so close that he lays his hand upon us, holding us fast in in his powerful hand … strengthening and stabilizing us, comforting us and guiding us.

And he never leaves us. Wherever we may go and whatever situation we may find ourselves in, his loving presence remains with us.

The Apostle Paul describes that abiding love in poetic and majestic fashion:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35, 37-39).

It’s a love so extensive that the Son of God took our place on the torturous cross so we could join him one day in eternal salvation.

Why does God take such a personal approach in our lives? Simply because he loves us!

This simple fact – and all the complex ways God weaves it into our existence – is unimaginable! Yet Scripture is always true, so this unimaginable concept is undeniable. Which also makes it incredibly comforting.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

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To Be Free

June 29, 2024 dbirsch

For me, it was just another quiet evening on my dock, relaxing after a long day of work and watching for activity on my bobber. But for the bluegill who tried to steal the bait off one of my hooks, it turned into a rather traumatic evening.

One moment he was pulling on a juicy waxworm in anticipation of a tasty snack, the next he felt a sharp pain in his mouth and was being dragged in a direction he didn’t desire to go. Though he fought with all his might, he couldn’t break free.

Even more terrifying, he was pulled from the watery world he knew into one where it was difficult for him to breath. And worst of all, one of those “land giants” was now looking down on him. There was nothing the fish wanted more at that moment than to be released back into his familiar and comfortable environment.

The “bluey” was indeed dropped back into the water, but not until he was firmly locked into a metal stringer. And though back in the water, the stringer pinned him to the lake bottom. No amount of straining could change his dilemma. He was hopelessly trapped.

I don’t pretend to understand how a fish thinks, but on some level he must have been longing to fin freely through the water … swimming where he wanted to swim without restrictions – like he always had before. But suddenly he couldn’t.

Do fish feel frustration? Anxiety? Despair? If so, he must have experienced them.

But it was a fortuitous night for this particular fellow. I happened to receive a rather lengthy phone call shortly after catching him. As a result, no other fish were added to the stringer. I decided I didn’t feel like going through the hassle of cleaning just one. Since he was cleanly hooked and clearly still healthy, I let him go.

His longing was fulfilled; he was again finning freely through the green waters of Shamrock Lake. Does he do so with a new appreciation for his freedom? I don’t know. But I do know that if he makes the mistake of getting hooked by me again, his freedom will undoubtedly come to an end.

I’m not trying to humanize fish, or foster sympathy for them. I will still catch them, keep them and clean them. I enjoy eating breaded panfish fillets far too much to become a fish vegan.

However, we can certainly relate to that bluegill in this regard: we love our freedom too!

To be so profoundly blessed to live in a country where we have absolute freedom is no small thing. Yet, it’s a thing often taken totally for granted by all of us.

When was the last time we actually considered the freedoms we enjoy, and thanked our God for them? Generally speaking, we can live where we want, wake up when we want, and wear what we want. We can go where we want and stay there as long as we want. We can do what we want, eat what we want, buy what we want, read or watch what we want, hang out with whomever we want, and finally go to sleep when we want.

And these are the smaller freedoms! The value rises exponentially when we consider that we are free to say whatever we want however we want to whomever we want, and that we can freely vote for whomever we desire. Best of all, we are free to believe what we want, acknowledge the deity we want, and worship that god (our God!) however we see fit.

The places in the world where these freedoms exist are becoming fewer and fewer.

Of course, there is also the freedom from the condemnation of sin that our Savior, Jesus, has provided for us, as well as all the connected spiritual freedoms connected with knowing and trusting in our gracious God. Profound blessings that we can appreciate and celebrate openly because of the freedom we enjoy in our country!

God grant that we never reach the point when these freedoms are recognized only because we no longer have them … like a fish on a stringer beside the dock. Rather, may we constantly appreciate the blessings of being free … as a nation, and as a Christian.

Oh, what a treasure it is to be free.

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Passages on the Blessings of Freedom in a Nation

Psalm 33
¹²Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. ¹³From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; ¹⁴from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—¹⁵he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. …

¹⁸… The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, ¹⁹to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. ²⁰We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. ²¹In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. ²²May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Deuteronomy 28
¹If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. ²All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

³You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. … ⁶You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. ⁷The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. ⁸… The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

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Passages on the Blessings of Freedom in Christ

John 8
³¹To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³²Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. … ³⁴Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ³⁵Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Romans 8
¹Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ²because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. …

¹⁴For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ …

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Right Here. Right Now.

June 22, 2024 dbirsch

It’s a fairly common approach: write a letter or a song to one’s younger self.

Now that I’m older, I better understand why it is commonly done – the older we get the wiser we become. There are so many nuggets of wisdom I dearly wish I could share with my younger self. (Not that I would have necessarily listened to my older, wiser self, mind you.)

Here’s one truth that my older self would beg my younger self to understand: enjoy every moment. It won’t come again, and a person often doesn’t realize its preciousness until it’s over.

In fact, this is a truth that I beg my older self to take to heart as well. And every reader too!

Too many times I’ve squandered a priceless, unrepeatable moment by dwelling on the current challenges or worrying about the unpredictable future. Or simply by taking it for granted. By the time I realize my mistake, the moment is gone … never to return.

The list of such situations is lengthy, and would vary with each individual. But here’s a few that come to my mind:

The carefree days of childhood. Laying on the lawn and staring at the white clouds floating above, or the sweep of the stars at night. The first day of summer vacation. Outdoor games with relatives during daylight; hide-and-seek in the dark. Telling stories in the tent at sleepovers. Slushies in the park after the baseball game is over.

Birthday, Baptism, confirmation, graduation, wedding, and anniversary days. Any family gathering … whether for an auspicious event or just because.

Your baby son or daughter falling asleep in your arms. Cuddling your young children or grandchildren on your lap. A toddler’s laughter. Meals with all the youngsters scattered around the table. Holding your child’s hand when they need extra stability. Storytime, evening devotions and bedtime prayers.

Vacation … any vacation (even rained-out camping trips!) … with family members. A back-packing, hunting or fishing trip with your sons. A lunch out with your daughter. A walk in the park with a loved one. A quiet moment with a spouse. A phone chat with a distant child, parent or relative.

Pre-outdoor-activity planning sessions with participants, and the post-adventure conversations that follow. Casting a line into the lake; the thrill of a bite. Opening morning in a deer stand. Naps in a hammock surrounded by God’s great creation. Games at the picnic bench in the campground; Euchre on a makeshift rock “table” after a day of backpacking. Campfires at camp or in the backyard.

Watching your children compete in a sports event, perform in a play or sing in a concert or a worship service. Holiday meals with dear ones. Petting or playing with your dog.

Stepping onto a field or a court to personally participate in a ballgame. Observing the boys you coach execute the skills you’ve taught them. Playing in a formal softball game with your children. Watching a professional game with family members. Catching a batting-practice baseball.

A delightful conversation with a friend. An evening together with pals. Banter between buddies.

A gorgeous view the Lord has brought before your eyes; a moment of clarity and peace in the craziness of life. Witnessing something spectacular, and the profound awe it brings.

The moment you realize that the Lord has intervened … yet again … and the seemingly unsolvable dilemma is solved.

Time in the Word … whether in formal worship or private devotions, and the comfort, understanding and insights the Holy Spirit brings through it. Those moments when the monumental love of God becomes obvious yet again. The view of the cross and the revelation of the empty tomb.

The celebration of a life lived in Jesus and the eternal salvation that person is enjoying now that the Lord has called them Home.

A smile directed toward you from someone you care about.

Every single hug with a loved one.

This is far from a complete list. But it is a list that fostered deep emotions in me nonetheless. And it underscores the point – with God’s help, strive to appreciate every moment right here and right now. There are magnificent blessings from God in each one.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. … ‘The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!’ … The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. … The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. … Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 118:selected).