Makenzie’s Misunderstood Bible Verse – Jeremiah 29:11 – Part 2

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Truthfully, this translation is not the best for this verse (see part 1).  Even though millions have it as a life verse, have used it for comfort and have placed it on everything from bumper stickers to coffee mugs, it still doesn’t capture what God is saying.

It’s Makenzie’s life verse as well but there is so much more meaning to it if you dig into the context and the original language.  In context, God has exiled the Israelites to Babylon (which is a whole ‘nother theological discussion).  He tells them to hang out, do what needs to be done, get married, build a life etc.  But at the end of 70 years, He is going to bring them back to their homeland.

The Israelites are ticked, tired and tried.  They need to know that God hasn’t abandoned them or forgotten about them.  They need some encouragement from this God who, in His love, allowed desperate hardship to uproot their entire people group.  And in comes verse 11 of Jeremiah 29:11.  Through a word of encouragement, God says to this beat up nation, “Hey!  Don’t worry.  Hang in there.   For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

God doesn’t have an individual plan for you but more importantly, He has a larger purpose for you (again, see part 1).  And, as the original language points out, God thinks good thoughts about you.  For one, they are thoughts of peace.  It is possible to be in the worst life tragedy or the most frustrating situation and still have peace!  The peace that God gives!  He doesn’t think evil on you either.  Meaning, if you feel like God has allowed destruction in your life, behind the scenes, He is working it into something good (see Romans 8:28).  He also knows what the end of the story looks like in your life and, again, it is good.  It may not be what you expect, but it is good.

Our family is experiencing this good right now.  Coming next month, it will be 3 years since the Lord danced my oldest daughter, Makenzie, to heaven.  It has been extremely hard, much of the time.  It has been a journey that I wish upon no one.  But we are seeing how even in the midst of the struggle, we have had peace.  And it is good.

So go ahead and mark up the T-shirts with Jer. 29:11.  Claim it for your confirmation or life verse.  Tattoo it on your hand.  Whatever.  God has great thoughts and a purpose for your existence.  Live fully, Love God and Laugh from your gut.  Life is worthy of that!

Peace!

First-Withouts – Birthday Without Makenzie

Makenzie on her last birthday (18 years old)

A handful of days ago, Kellie and I were privileged to share Makenzie’s story at the Woodbury Area Prayer Breakfast.  Among the 700 people were Bill and Zoe Hyland whose high school aged son, Braedon, was killed in a car accident in October of last year.  It was a painful yet beautiful conversation as they, like us, grapple with the new normal.

Bill said that they are going through the “first-withouts” date list.  The “first” Christmas “without” Braedon.  The “first” Spring “without” him.  The list goes on and on for the likes of us.

Today is Makenzie’s birthday.  She would have been 21 years old.  A milestone in the lives of other young adult but not for her.  This is not a “first-without” for us but rather another reminder of her birth and death and birth again.  Another date on the calendar that we cannot escape.  So we choose to lay low today.  We’ll laugh about her laugh – smile about her smile.  We’ll most likely cry as we ponder and remember.  But we’ll also thank Jesus for giving her a list of “first-withouts.”  “First” days in heaven “without” pain, sorrow or suffering.  “First” days in heaven “without” struggle, confusion of boredom.  And, if she were speaking it, “First” days in heaven “without” math!

Love you button nose.  And Happy 21st Birthday.

Peace!

Links to check out:

• MAKENZIE!  Happy Birthday to You!
• BRAEDON HYLAND Foundation
• KELLIE STOCKER Blog

Love Covers

Today, Twin Cities dwellers woke up to something beautiful. We looked out our kitchen windows and front doors to see our frozen garden gnomes and mailboxes frosted  with a thin white blanket of snow.  The brown deadness is hidden.  The dirty sidewalks are gone.  In their places is a fresh new look and a chance to begin again.

Isn’t that what love does?  Love forgives the deadness.  Love covers the ugly.  Love makes things new and says, “Let’s start again.”  On this Valentine’s day, I’m glad that God gave me a white valentine in which he writes, “I’ve got it covered.”  (1 Peter).

Peace,

My new website:

Why I want a Chameleon

I know what I want for my birthday.  My mom used to have one when she was young and it sounds like a cool possession … a Chameleon.  Here’s why I want one and what they remind me to do:

These are fascinating little creatures.  Their bodies adapt and change depending on their background.  I found out that they can change based on their mood, the temperature and even the breezes in the air.  Many think that they change their color to hide but research has found that they change their color to draw less attention to themselves as they hunt for food.   They make their prey feel at ease so that they can engage.  Their identity is always as a Chameleon, but they change to draw others close and to draw close to others.

What would it look like if we put away our pride and harsh judgments and became more like Mr. Chameleon?  What if we could be so confident in our convictions, values and morals yet be flexible in how we engage in conversation.  I believe more would be open to hearing about Hope in Christ and less would be turned off by the judgmental opinions of a few in our well-meaning denominations.

When you want to communicate a message, be Chameleon-like:  be firm on truth and flexible in presentation. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

Click for a great Chameleon Video.

Peace,

My new website:

“The Newness of Christmas”

This morning, a fresh, new blanket of snow gently covers the old.  Like the top of a cake, the snow is frosted on the arms of the bare trees outside my window.  The indentations of rabbit tracks are barely visible now as the sky’s powder dusts over them.

It is quiet.  It is still.   Everything is new.

Thats what I love about Christmas.  It makes things new.  As a kid, there was the newness  of toys, foods and oder-eaters (yes, I got those for Christmas during my transitory adole-scent years).  As an young adult, there was the newness of events, parties and friends.  As an adult, there was the newness of family, promises and dreams.

“All things new,” the Good Book says.  Time is new this morning; Mercy is new this morning; Love, Joy, Hope.  All of it – New.

What is new to you this Christmas?  As dark becomes light, as sleep becomes ‘wake, as rest becomes work, what has the new snow covered in you?

Christmas reminds me of the new.  And the journey of its discovery is what gives me peace.

I Want More Pictures

I’ve poured over them.  I’ve studied them.  I’ve printed, emailed, posted and cropped them.  They are the pictures I have of Makenzie.  I know every shadow and line of her face in the photos and they remind me of the joy and full life that she lead.

As of late, Kellie and I are longing for NEW pictures.  We scanned the full Senior Class picture from her high school but didn’t find her twinkling eyes or wide teethed smile in the midst of the faces.  We looked at the end of the year Facebook pictures from her friends but she was not in them.

What we’d give to see her on her last day of High School.  How we long for those photos which would tell us that her life with us was continuing.  But they are not there.

Don’t get me wrong.  We are very grateful for the pictures and video that we have; especially from Caitlin and the last photo shoot.  But to see her in a graduation robe, playfully grabbing the tassel with her tongue, would be an incredible gift.

I wonder if there are camera’s in Heaven; to capture the events and experiences that we will have with her.  Probably not.  But just being with her again — with everyone again — gathered around Jesus’ throne — will be the ultimate photo op!

(NOTE: I intentionally didn’t add any pictures to this post.  I just didn’t feel like any were appropriate.  And even if one fit, the post would still be image-less.  Today, pictures just seem empty)

Peace,

todd

Life Changing Links …

• Tribute Video played at Makenzie’s Celebration Service.
• Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
• “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
• “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
• “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)

A New Day

We had dinner last night with a couple who lost their 16 year old son recently.  The words they shared, their experience dealing with this kind of loss and their example of faithfulness and love were no less than inspiring.  One of the most helpful discussions we had was the concept that every day, we heal a little bit more; ever day, we are strengthened by God.

This morning is a new day for me; a day when a little of the “pre-June 3” motivation is welling up; a day when the Bible verse comes to mind of God’s new mercies…

Lamentations 3:22-24

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;

therefore I will wait for him.”

In this new day, I will wait for God to renew me and I will remember that He is faithful and beyond understanding.

todd

Makenzie’s Celebration Service – Click Here

Renewed Hope – Devoted Trust

Wow!  I just returned from facilitating a workshop for Concordia Lutheran High School in Houston.  Staff of about 50 attended and the goal was to get rejuvenated for the new 2008-09 school year.  We used their yearly theme “Renewed Hope – Devoted Trust” based on Titus 3:3-8 as our outline for the day.  Lots of great discussion happened.  We looked at the generation of students we teach (called the Mosaic generation), learned what S.O.A.P journaling is (see enewhope.org),  and at the end, we wrote a statement that we could look back on and be encouraged. 

 

What I really loved about meeting this group of ministers was their sold out passion for building a solid academic and spiritual foundation for students.  Everyone I met, while different, shared the same focus and love for Jesus and their school.

 

God is at work, y’all.  He’s doing great things in our schools.  Remember to celebrate the lives He’s changed! 

 

Todd