The greatest gift God gave mankind was the free gift of salvation when Jesus was sacrificed on the cross. But death wasn't the final result.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

As i walked toward the good friday service, I overheard a little boy asking his dad," Why do they call it good friday? There is nothing good about Jesus dying.

His dad looked into his little boys eyes and asked him to remember those bible stories from his Sunday school class Yes, good Friday is sad, but two days later, Jesus Christ will rise out of the grave into eternal life. God made it abundantly clear through all of the major prophets and the words of Jesus regarding what would happen to Him. Good Friday and Easter morning were clear signs that death would be forever defeated. No more pain, or suffering to us all because of what Jesus did on the cross.

Sigh, as I reflected on the millions of Iranian Christians who were murdered by the Radical Islamic regime since 1979 as a result of the Khomeini regime's skewed way of thinking when it pushed out the peoples choice of leader, the Shah, and ushered in Sharia law to anyone who dared violated their skewed way of thinking.

Sigh, as I reflected on the millions of babies ripped limb for limb by the satanic abortion industry simply because of 'woman's rights.

Sigh, as I reflected on the historically know racism of the Democratic party since the civil war days that lynched black men, destroyed black families by giving woman extra money in Government handouts if they weren't married.

Sigh, as I reflected on the lies said by the Democratic politians that they were never the racist party. Then, I remembered through the years a record number of racist laws passed by them like Lyndon Johnson's great welfare program when he mentioned that he will have blacks voting democratic for the next 200 years.

Sigh, as I reflected on the radical indoctrination of our public institutions with declining academic scores, increased hatred between the races that only fuals riots in the street, especially around major election cycles.

As I reflected on the victims, I see Jesus Christ standing at the gate of heaven with open arms welcoming those who's lives ended abruptly. For them, their bodies were healed without a single trace of any earthly affliction. Jesus healed and made them whole.

As I looked at the rising morning sun, I was reflecting on my own salvation- a decision I made to Jesus in the spring of 1974 at the little country coffee house in the Minnetonka Mills neighborhood. It was a decision I never regretted as I sensed the presense of Jesus walking by my side every day of my life.

While there is still time, I encouraged anyone who doesn't know Jesus as their personal Savior to bow before God and invite his son, Jesus, into your heart with this simple prayer: Heavenly Father, I believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God came to earth to be the Saviour of the world, and that by His death on he cross, He paid the price for the sin of the world, so that whosoever believes on Him would not perish, but have everlasting life.

Thank You for Jesus and thank You for my free gift of salvation. Thank You that by believing on His name, I am forgiven of my sins and and brought into sweet fellowship with my heavenly Father.

Thank You, Lord, for sending Your Son to die on Calvary's cross in my place. Thank You that His innocent life was sufficient to pay the full price for my sin, and the sin of the world.

Lord, I turn from all my prideful sins and from everything that is dishonoring to Your name, and pray that I would grow in grace and in a knowledge of Jesus, until I come to a spiritual maturity, as day by day the Holy Spirit seeks to transform my lowly body into the likeness of Jesus.

Thank You, Father, for Your wonderful gift of salvation and thank You that by believing I am now Your child. In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen.

If you said this prayer, you can be assured that you will see Jesus Christ the moment you take your final breath on this side of the veil.

On our annual trips to our church we had Ravi Zacharias and one of his sermons on KTIS 900. He spoke in a language that was understood by all four of us. He still is the greatest Christian apologist of this century. He is the reason so many of us continue to be fervant in our faith.

Christian apologist, evangelist, author.

He was considered by many to be one of the most influential Christians of his day. At his memorial service US Vice President Mike Pence said, "In God gave us the greatest Christian apologist of this century."

He was raised in a nominally Anglican home in Delhi, India and considered himself an atheist up until his unsuccessful suicide attempt at age 17. As he lay in a hospital bed, words of Jesus from John 14 were read to him: "Because I live, you also will live."

These words inspired him to surrender his life to Christ and he vowed to leave no stone unturned in his pursuit of truth.

At age 26 he became an itinerate evangelist with The Christian and Missionary Alliance and was ordained in 1980.

In 1983, Billy Graham invited him to address a gathering of over 4,000 evangelists in Amsterdam.

In 1984, he founded Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), the purpose statement of which states "The primary mission of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries is to reach and challenge those who shape the ideas of a culture with the credibility of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Distinctive in its strong evangelistic and apologetic foundation, the ministry of RZIM is intended to touch both the heart and the intellect of the thinkers and influencers of society through the support of the visionary leadership of Ravi Zacharias.

Our vision is to build a team with a fivefold thrust of evangelism, apologetics, spiritual disciplines, training, and humanitarian support so that the mandate of I Peter 3:15 might be fulfilled: to set apart Christ in our hearts as Lord and always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is within us, with gentleness and respect, all for the glory of God."

RZIM has grown to a global team of nearly 100 speakers with offices throughout the world in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Africa, the United Kingdom, Spain, Romania, Turkey, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Austria, Germany, Macedonia, and Switzerland.

He frequently said that he wanted to "help the thinker believe and the believer think." He earned a Master of Divinity degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and taught at the Alliance Theological Seminary in New York.

He received 10 honorary doctorate degrees in recognition of his public commitment to Christian thought.

As an international speaker and prolific author, his defense of the Christian faith reached millions.

He hosted the radio program Let My People Think that was syndicated to over 2,000 stations in 32 countries. He authored more than 30 books including A Shattered Visage: The Real Face of Atheism, Can Man Live Without God?, Jesus Among Other Gods, and The Grand Weaver.

His books have received multiple awards and have sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide. In 2004 his ministry established the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and launched Wellspring International, the humanitarian division of the ministry.

In 2014 The RZIM Academy, an online apologetics-training curriculum, was created.

In 2017 the Zacharias Institute, an apologetics training facility, was established in Atlanta, Georgia. His numerous speaking engagements around the world included many secular universities, the Lenin Military Academy in Moscow, the White House, the United Nations, and Angola Prison in Louisiana.

He was noted for answering the arguments of skeptics with gentleness and respect, giving the reason for the hope that he had, but recognizing that at the other end of the question was a person made in the image of God.

He said "I have reminded myself over the years that behind every question is a questioner and behind every questioner is a network of assumptions, hurts, struggles, and often prejudices."

The prisoners of Angola prison built his coffin. He wrote in Seeing Jesus from the East, "These prisoners know that this world is not their home and that no coffin could ever be their final destination. Jesus assured us of that."

In 2018, he told the story of standing with his successor in front of Lazarus's grave in Cyprus. The stone simply reads, "Lazarus, four days dead, friend of Christ." Zacharias turned to his successor and said if he was remembered as "a friend of Christ, that would be all I want."

Joni Earickson Tada once said that Grief is like a permanent disability that one needs to adapt to as part of their healing process

# Embracing the Journey of Grief: Insights from Joni Eareckson Tada

And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.Romans 5

Grief is a universal experience, and yet it often feels profoundly isolating. When we think of loss, we can feel an array of emotions that can be overwhelming and confusing. Joni Eareckson Tada, a remarkable woman who has faced life's challenges with courage and grace, describes grief as a "permanent disability" that we must learn and adapt to on our journey. This analogy resonates deeply, as it emphasizes that grief is not something we can simply overcome. Rather, it is a complex emotional process that requires time, understanding, and support.

Living with quadriplegia, Joni has a unique perspective on the notion of disability. She understands that for many, including herself, adapting to a new reality is a continuous journey filled with highs and lows. Grief, in many ways, mirrors this experience. The loss of a loved one, a relationship, or even a way of life can feel like a significant disability that alters how we engage with the world.

The journey of grief is not linear; it often involves navigating through various stages and experiencing emotions that can be difficult to articulate. Just as someone with a physical disability learns to adapt to their new circumstances, those who are grieving must also develop new ways to cope with their loss. This might involve seeking support from others, finding new routines, or even embracing spirituality. Each person's journey will look different, and that variability underscores the importance of patience and kindness—both towards ourselves and others.

As we foster our own understanding of grief, it is vital to remember that it is okay to feel vulnerable. Vulnerability allows us to connect with others who may be going through similar experiences, providing a space for empathy and support. Sharing our stories and emotions can help mitigate the feelings of isolation that often accompany grief. In Joni's words, it is through our struggles that we can find resilience, allowing us to adapt and even grow in the face of profound sorrow.

In conclusion, embracing the journey of grief may not be easy, but it is an essential part of healing. Just as we would learn to navigate life with a disability, we can learn to navigate our grief—acknowledging its permanence while shaping our responses to it. Let us remember that it is possible to carry that grief alongside finding joy, connection, and purpose. As we walk this path, let's extend grace and support to ourselves and each other, honoring the transformative power that our experiences can bring.

If you are struggling with grief and seeking resources or support, please reach out to Griefshare.org and find a inperson or virtual group nearest you. Remember, you are not alone on this journey.