At last nights Legacy Christian Academy's annual 'Legacy gala, we learned to walk by faith and not by sight

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.2 Corinthians 5:7-8

Last night, my wife and I attended the Legacy Christian Academy 'Legacy Gala' where we heard wonderful stories of how this school was formed. We listened as Jake shared how a few men, with little knowledge starting a school, fervently prayed for the possibility of starting a Christian school in the northwestern suburb of Andover. He shared some amazing stories how God has used this school in the lives of the students attending. 

Jake shared how in front of Legacy Christian Academy are 'standing stones' that now serve as a reminder of those faith-based stories that made up this school. 

Through the years, there have been tragedies that have taken young lives way too soon. From our daughter's sudden loss in the early morning hours of June 10th, 2007 to a much earlier time when the headmaster's oldest daughter was struck by a car while crossing the street to get to classes at what was then Meadow Creek Christian school. 

Jake announced at the Gala that he had just met that afternoon with the student body of Legacy to share the tragic news of another student that occurred last night when two twin sisters returning from a softball game were sideswiped by a truck, One of the sister's survive while the other did not. 

At the time he met with those students, there was a potential new student touring the school when he came across this student body huddling in small groups praying with bibles open while expressing sorrow in words and tears. This young man was so touched by the genuine compassion he saw expressed by these students that he told Jake, " at my other school when a kid dies they make an announcement over the loudspeaker and then encourage you to come to the office if you need counseling." What he saw through this student body was opposite anything he had ever experienced before.

As most of us who have experienced losses will testify, life is uncertain. James 4:14 reminds us with these words, ' whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.' 

Yet, it is easy to forget that thought as we continue to make plans for family vacations while setting aside long-term retirement savings and making plans for what we might do once we retire. We sort of put out into the distant future the inevitable- including the painful realities of grief and sorrow.

I was reminded through my other conversations that what our kids really need more than the shiny toy, or that college fund, are parents who love each other who are willing to find ways of keeping their marriage strong even in the face of tragedy. They need parents staying committed to our Lord, loving each other more fervently as the years go by, and willing to walk by faith, not by sight. 

They need to see a living example of what it means to get up every Sunday and place one foot in front of the other and worship Jesus even when they don't 'feel' like it. Our children are looking to us as parents to blaze a trail for them to follow.

This is the way that legacies are made. Legacy Christian Academy continues to be a beacon of light in the Northwestern suburbs, not only giving them a strong academic foundation for success but a faith that will stand the test of time. Having been part of this incredible school through my wife's former job as Librarian and seeing our two kids grow through this school, I highly recommend Legacy as my first choice for Christian education.

Lastly, I ask you to pray for the family experiencing this unthinkable tragedy and for the student body as they come to grips with the realities of grief and that they will be reminded to 'walk by faith, not by sight.'

It truly is a beautiful day!

Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:4

Sadly, it seems most would rather strap on the heavy shackles and ride

the topsy-turvy of the highest roller coaster with its frightful dives than to trust the Lord.

We  do this whenver we look at the horoscopes first or we 

allow the economic forecasts ruin our day.

If they have a bible, it probably off on the highest shelve somewhere

collecting dust until guests come into their home when they grab it and place it on prominent display.

Over again in scripture, God uses the illustration of slaves to remind us that when we have Jesus Christ we are free and we can take off those shackles and trust Jesus that he truly knows what to do with our lives.

We no longer have to worry.

We no longer have to be afraid.

We no longer have to fret about our health or our life's ambition.

Like the potter's clay, Jesus will mold us into a beautiful work 

He will place a permanent smile on your face

He will give you a purpose to wake up every morning.

He will present you as a pleasing fragrance that will draw people to you

He will give you the desire to worship.

As we practice these things you may notice 

you are calmer,

you are nicer to be around

your pleasant demeanor will be noticed from afar

and the next time you see your doctor you may notice

healthier vital signs with a smile on his face

Now wouldn't you want to become unshackled and know what its like to be filled with the hope and joy of the Lord?

It truly is a beautiful day!

The World Health Organization has identified Depression as a major problem facing humanity-what we can do to thwart it.

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. Psalm 42:5

Recently, I read this headline: 'World Health Organization identifies depression as humanities greatest problem.' As I read more about this problem, I came across some key facts of this global epidemic that helped me to see the problem more clearly.

Depression is a common mental disorder. Globally, more than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression.

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.

More women are affected by depression than men.

At its worst, depression can lead to suicide.

There are effective treatments for depression. (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs369/en/)

This same site offered up some contributing factors of depression:

Depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors. People who have gone through adverse life events (unemployment, bereavement, psychological trauma) are more likely to develop depression. Depression can, in turn, lead to more stress and dysfunction and worsen the affected person’s life situation and depression itself.

My mind started reflecting on people all across this globe filled sadness with some on the brink of suicide grasping for anything that will make them whole again. Every single day their symptoms return with seemingly little hope in sight. 

Hope.

All of the humanity is searching for hope. A hope that all things will be better the way they were before their bereavement and or psychological trauma.

Hope. 

I reflected on my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as the one who helped me heal from my bereavement journey. I reflected on the empathetic, caring people who listened to my pain and thought this is what all humanity is looking for in their lives.No, we may never be the same after our loss, but in time we will be able to see a 'new normal'  on the horizon.

Hope. Not money, not monetary treasure, not inheritance, but the hope is what drives humanity. 

Oh, where oh where are the inspiring people who can guide people to hope? People like Winston Churchill who inspired millions at a time of national and world crisis? People like Franklin Delano Roosevelt who inspired American's and even those abroad with his Fireside chats during the great depression. People like Mother Theresa who washed the feet of the poorest of the poor and fed them when they were hungry or gave them the gift of touch they were starving for?

Hope.

We need people who lead us to inspire us just as the likes of Churchill, FDR did in the former time.

Hope, that illusory hope.

I again reflected on my faith and it occurred to me that Jesus Christ is the hope that humanity needs at such a time as this. When you really think about it, the moment that Jesus Christ rose from the grave, returned to speak to many witnesses before returning to our father in heaven, it occurred to me that unlike the long dead god's that Jesus Christ continues to be a living Savior who wants to breathe life into humanity just as he breathe life into our lives the moment we opened up the door to our hearts and invited Jesus in.

Hope will help us recover from bereavement. Hope will help us recover from adverse life events. Hope will help us and hope will help us to recover from that sad journey of bereavement. 

Now that you know that depression is a worldwide epidemic I think this will give you a new perspective on how to respond to the people you encounter on a daily basis. A simple smile, a simple kind and encouraging word or simple eye contact or the willingness to walk with them on their journey may be all they need to find a little hope for their lives.