Annual High Country Memorial Invitation

Every year on June 26, John et al will hike Mt. Sopris and meet at Thomas Lakes. All are invited as it is an open invitation. This will be a time to reflect on your walk with the living God and your relationships with loved ones (parted or present). Please consider joining us this year and making it a personal retreat for yourself. The wildflowers are spectacular and the vistas are priceless. You will experience a blessing from the living God.

Here are the details:

What: Matthew’s High Country Memorial

When: 8:00 AM, June 26

Where: Mt Sopris Trailhead (parking area is at Dinkle Lake – http://www.hikingincolorado.org/sopr.html)

Why: Psalm 121

Preparation: Yes! Exercise, bring water, wear hiking boots and proper clothing, and read – http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5186956.pdf

How: Call us to help plan your trip! (317-485-5482)

Matthew’s Memorial 2015

“Here Now (Madness)”

Skies spin their dance

Within Your breath

Time runs its race

Within Your hand

And my mind runs wild

To comprehend

What no mind on earth

Could understand

Your ways are higher

Your thoughts are wilder

Love came like madness

Poured out in blood – wash romance

It makes no sense but this is grace

And I know You’re with me in this place

Here now

All I know is I know that You are

Here now

Still my heart

Let Your voice be all I hear now

Spirit breathe

Like the wind come have Your way

Cause I know You’re in this place

Hillsong (Empires)

It’s the second year and the third time I have hiked Mount Sopris with friends and family to reflect on the passing of my son, Matthew John Waters. Each memorial has been wild, powerful, holy, sorrowful, joyful, and left me somewhat speechless.

How does a father fully describe his love for his child? From the time a child is formed and filled with the life of God, thoughts of love, anticipation, and expectations flood the heart of a father (and the mother of course). What will this child look like? What will this child do? Who will this (boy) be?

In my daily experience now, not an hour goes by where I do not have abundant thoughts toward all my kids, including Matthew. It seems the majority of my thoughts are attempts to understand what each of them are thinking, feeling, and experiencing, and how I can help them, encourage them, protect them, provide for them, and love them.

Katy has been in South Florida exploring the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. Dawson has been in Australia exploring the kingdom of God “down under.” And Nate has been living large in Indiana rapidly transitioning from a child to an adolescent. For each of my precious children on earth I can readily enter into their horizontally-focused lives and pray through the spiritual aspects and vertical connection to our Father in heaven.

When it comes to my son Matthew, my mind, sort of, spiritually explodes. My relationship to heaven is ever present it seems through my son, and through the Son (of course). When I adore and worship the King of kings, King Jesus, it ushers me into His presence and it is here I see Matthew joining me, and together we are filled with joy, peace, smiles, and an obvious absence of sorrow. It is in this heaven-to-earth connection where I sense Matthew’s presence in tangible ways, for I enter into thoughts of what he is thinking, feeling, and experiencing now (I am finding this experience difficult to explain with words, spiritual “utterings” may be better).

As his father, it brings me great peace, joy, and rest to think about Matthew and his present life in heaven, as it will be on earth. This perspective is no self-deception or motivational concept – it is the reality of the God-to-human experience and how it was intended from the beginning.

“And my mind runs wild

To comprehend

What no mind on earth

Could understand”

Hillsong

“…but just as it is written,

‘No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this,

Never so much as imagined anything quite like it—

What God has arranged for those who love him.’”

Paul

(I Corinthians 2:9, The Message)

I do miss Matthew on earth and the physical presence of my beautiful 15-year-old son. I deeply miss him. My mind can quickly run backwards and into the “horizontal” aspects of loss and hopelessness, and my complete failure as a parent. But, it doesn’t. Praise be to our God that the “vertical” presence of the Lord, His rule, His reign, His salvation, and His power immediately rushes to my rescue and the Holy Spirit counsels me in the truth: “Matthew is fine. He is in heaven bringing joy in the kingdom. Jesus loves him the way you love him and is allowing Matthew to interact with you (the “41’s remember?). You are a good father. Everything is fine and going to the plan and purposes of our King. Jesus wins.”

It may sound bizarre, but I do not grieve very often these days; I rejoice. I am so thankful for the eternal destiny of all our lives in Christ. My kids are safe, my wife is safe, and my eternal life is safe. Jesus wins.

“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul…” – Jesus

I must admit with 100% transparency and honesty, I have absolutely no fear of the future. Our enemy has taken his best shot at me and attempted to destroy the life of my son, Matthew. The enemy has failed. He failed at the cross of the crucified Son of God and he fails against all those who call Jesus “Lord”. He fails against all who are covered in Christ’s righteousness and filled with His resurrection power (Romans 8:11). He is one big failure and I find great joy occasionally reminding him of this.

In a world where anxiety, depression, and fear is at record levels in our society, the gospel and power of Jesus Christ presents Himself as the only “way, truth, and life” for salvation from anxiety, depression, and fear. The enemy seems to have a stronghold on these areas but it is breaking all over the land. Jesus wins.

The world presents counterfeit solutions and alternatives to the simple and child-like truth that Jesus offers. There are more self-help books, more medical theories, and more options to relieve anxiety, depression, and fear than ever before in the history of mankind. Yet, there seem to be less people (in the United States) experiencing true freedom. I think I could justify a lot of reasons for anxiety, depression, and fear, but they would all be lies from the enemy, and I would have to agree with them. I choose to agree with truth and not lies.

Jesus enters our adult and mature world, where we have had (sometimes) decades of intellectual experience, maturity, and worldly wisdom, and He states:

“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive

the kingdom of God like a child

will not enter it at all.” – Mark 10:15

When I have visions of Matthew in heaven it is clear that he is a very, very happy child. He is so happy that it draws me into the kingdom requirement that I too can become a “child” and trust my Heavenly Father beyond my earth-bound circumstances. While at home, my kids did not for one moment worry about my care and provision for them (i.e., they knew they would eat, wear clothes, and lay in a soft bed, daily). In America it is somewhat easy for a child to trust their father or mother.

This year at Matthew’s 2015 Memorial on Mt. Sopris at Thomas Lakes, I challenged the precious folks gathered to pause for a moment and listen to the voice of God. All of us acknowledged that we have often heard negative voices in our lives highlighting our shame, or condemning our physical appearance and personal worth. If the voice of the enemy can be so clear and so specific in our lives then why can’t we hear the voice of our loving Father more often and much clearer than the voices of devils?

In fact, we can.

I mentioned on the mountain that there are two dominant lies in our culture and in the church: 1) satan doesn’t really exist and interact with the human race, and 2) we cannot hear God’s voice – and both are quantifiable lies. I challenged all of us to leave these lies on the mountain, forever. We then paused and listened to God’s voice (“He who has ears, let him hear” – Matthew 11:15). Each person began speaking out loud the words that God was laying upon them in the quiet of their souls: “beautiful”, “blessed”, “I am pleased with you”, “trust Me”, “forgiven”, and on, and on! Yes, He speaks! It was awesome and holy.

There was one person with us who looked at me after many had spoken and said, with some frustration, that she couldn’t hear anything. Without me having to prod, each member of our group began spontaneously speaking to this beautiful daughter words of encouragement from God, on her behalf! One-by-one each person began speaking out loud the words that God was laying in the quiet of their souls: “He says you are beautiful”, “God is pleased with you”, “He has an adventure in store for you.”

During this time, my mind was flooded with a picture the Lord gave me (for her) of Jesus polishing a huge trophy with this girl’s name on a plaque at the base of the trophy. Jesus had His left hand inside the top of the trophy opening and there were flowing beams of light and water pouring into and out of the trophy. His back was to me and in His right hand Jesus had a white cloth and was polishing the tarnished trophy to bring out a brilliance that was practically blinding to the eye. It was somewhat humorous, as it seemed Jesus was polishing a human “belly”, or some sort of a joyful part of the body.

“…but just as it is written,

‘No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this,

Never so much as imagined anything quite like it—

What God has arranged for those who love him.’”

Paul

(I Corinthians 2:9, The Message)

June 26, 2015, as usual, was a very, very special day. God’s presence on Mt. Sopris at Thomas Lakes was overwhelming. His presence is always available to us and He often graces us with moments of abundance, as He did on June 26^th.

Every year seems to be so different yet so blessed by our Heavenly Father. We would love for you to join us next year, so go ahead and mark your calendar, we’ll see you on Mt. Sopris. Until then, know that your Heavenly Father is crazy about you and He wants to speak to you with love songs of delight and intimacy. Jesus is alive and well and wants to have a relationship with you. He is the Word and He loves to communicate to His children!

Jesus wins.

With much love and thankfulness for all your support and prayers,

John Waters

June 26, 2014

It’s hard to believe it’s been one year. One year ago, today, Sonya and I placed our beloved son’s physical remains in Thomas Lakes on Mount Sopris.

Reflecting on that day, and this past year for my family and me, our God has been “making all things new” and has proven Himself “faithful and true” (Revelation 21:5). Honestly, the Father has been overwhelming.

A couple of weeks ago I was participating in a worship gathering at our local church. As I worshipped our faithful God and entered His sanctuary of praise in the heavenly realms, I began thinking about the past year and the upcoming memorial service in Colorado. The Lord prompted me to open my eyes in the dim auditorium of our local church.

In the corner of the room I saw Dawson worshipping his God in praise. I saw my daughter, Katy, worshipping her God on the floor next to me. I saw my son, Nate, next to me, worshipping God. I saw Sonya worshipping God on the other side of me (selah). And I thought about Matthew worshipping the Lamb in His heavenly setting. I was speechless. All I could express to our living God were the movement of my lips in “thank you.” How faithful He has been to us. Of all the places a family could be one year after a tragedy of losing a son, a brother, a friend; we were all here, together, worshipping the One who remains “faithful and true” in our lives. He has anchored us in an indescribable storm. He is our rock and our sure foundation.

I was looking forward to the Colorado memorial service (#2) and wondering what blessed surprises God had in store for those who would attend, and me. I have grown to trust and enjoy my Heavenly Father this past year in more depth than I knew was possible. He has shown and spoken to me of His infinite love. He is so good. He is so faithful. It’s as if I have felt His presence comforting my entire body, soul, and spirit. For He, alone, knows what it means to lose a son He deeply loves.

O Lord my God, You are very great;

You are clothed with splendor and majesty,

Covering Yourself with light as with a cloak,

Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain.

He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters;

He makes the clouds His chariot;

He walks upon the wings of the wind;

He makes the winds His messengers,

Flaming fire His ministers.

Psalm 104

A few days later (after my blurry-eyed bike ride), several blessed guests arrived at our home in Colorado and, two days before the memorial hike, we decided to take a day hike up to Linkin’s Lake, off Independence Pass. Linkin’s Lake is one of my favorite trails to take guests as it is above tree line (with snow) and there is a huge surprise at the very top, off trail. If one is willing to trail blaze a bit above the lake, walk on all fours, and risk a few falling rocks then the reward is a 19th century house and an abandoned mine.

I led the hiking party this year up the steep mountainside, above the lake, to behold a moment of history.

From Wikipedia, “In 1879 prospectors began heading west from Leadville (CO) over the (Continental) Divide and into the Roaring Fork Valley, drawn by reports of vast mineral deposits there. On July 4 of that year, miners at a small camp just below the Divide struck gold. They named it the Independence claim after the holiday, and soon a small tent city developed on the site.”

This remote cabin above Linkin’s Lake must have been apart of the “gold rush” of 1879, but it was quite distant from the Independence community located about 2 miles away. Outside the abandoned mine (seen in photo above on the right behind the house), Sonya has discovered the semi-precious of Garnet in the tailings. It is all a very special surprise and not in any trail guide I know.

Everyone who made the journey up was impressed and amazed at the historical remains (some of our more daring compadres even entered the mine “at their own risk!”). Many took photos of the area then they regrouped and ascended a few hundred feet further to gaze at a majestic view of the Rockies. I chose to stay at the house, the mine, and reflect on the last time I was there.

As the voices of the group became distant, I realized the last time I stood on this ground in front of the house I was taking pictures of Matthew in the window of the home. I began to replay every memory I had of him from two years ago on that amazing terra firma. I remembered his facial expressions, his stature, his joy, and his sense for adventure.

I then gazed up into the clouds and I thought of the Scripture (above): “He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind; He makes the winds His messengers.” I gazed at the clouds and listened to the whistling of the high altitude winds. I paused. Then I asked God out loud, “God, do you have a message for me? I want you to give me a message. Please God. Anything. Tell me anything.”

In my amazement one of the smaller and rounder clouds began to form a skeletal face and then the face became full and round – it was the face of a beautiful young boy. The winds were creating a portrait of a small boy’s face with a smile that stretched from ear-to-ear. It looked like Matthew’s face. And then I heard it, yes, I heard the Lord’s “message” (from Matthew), “I’m alright, Papa. I never stop smiling here in the presence of Jesus. I will see you soon and we’ll talk all about it.” Selah (btw, my impression of the word “soon” was in the context of eternity).

I immediately thought, “I need to grab my phone and take a picture of the cloud so others can see what God has done for me!” Two problems would arise shortly after this thought: 1) my phone (camera) was about a mile and 500 vertical feet away, and 2) God immediately said, “This message and this image is not for others – it’s for you.”

In about 30 seconds the image of the young boy’s smiling face would morph back into a cloud wisp. I stood there just gazing into the clouds pondering what had just happened. The smile on my face matched the smile on my boy’s face in the cloud. I was filled with such great joy, and great peace. God had given me a personal message, and all I did was ask. Our God loves us so much and cares about every single thought and request of the heart. He is a very, very good Papa.

It was a privilege to share these two stories (i.e., testimonies) with the precious brothers and sisters in the Lord who sojourned up to Thomas Lakes on Mt. Sopris on June 26th. Several hikers had left earlier in the AM to conquer the challenging summit of Sopris (12,950 ft.), but then met us at Thomas Lakes around 3:00 PM to worship and reflect on God’s faithfulness in our lives.

Jerry Alcorta, from the (local) Orchard Church, led us in several worship songs from Hillsong but this one seemed to become our theme for this year,

I have this hope

As an anchor for my soul

Through every storm

I will hold to You

With endless love

All my fear is swept away

In everything

I will trust in You

There is hope in the promise of the cross

You gave everything to save the world You love

And this hope is an anchor for my soul

Our God will stand

Unshakeable

Unchanging One

You who was and is to come

Your promise sure

You will not let go

Your Name is higher

Your Name is greater

All my hope is in You

Your word unfailing

Your promise unshaken

All my hope is in You

Hillsong

Sonya and I are so grateful to all those who joined us in this year’s memorial hike. Thank all of you for praying for us. We need the Body of Christ so desperately it seems. His Bride is so beautiful and it is an awesome grace to be on the receiving end of His Spirit-filled love. We praise Him beyond our words and songs.

In the healing of His wings,

JW

PS – the new Hillsong Album, “No Other Name”, debuted on July 1 and we believe some of our story was part of the “DNA” of the songwriting. Here are lyrics to the title track that speak truth into our lives:

No Other Name

One Name, Holds the weight above them all

His fame, outlasts the earth He formed

His praise, resounds beyond the stars

And echoes in our hearts

The greatest One of all

His face, shines brighter than the sun

His grace, as boundless as His love

He reigns, with healing in His wings

The King above all kings

The greatest one of all

Lift up our eyes to see The King has come

Light of the world, reaching out for us

There is no other Name

There is no other Name

Jesus Christ our God

Seated on high, the undefeated One

Mountains bow down as we lift Him up

There is no other Name

There is no other Name

Jesus Christ our God

Find hope, when all the world seems lost

Behold the triumph of the cross

His power, has trampled death and grief

Our life found in his name

The greatest name of all

Lift up our eyes to see The King has come

Light of the world reaching out for us

There is no other Name

There is no other Name

Jesus Christ our God

Seated on high, the undefeated one

Mountains bow down as we lift Him up

There is no other Name

There is no other Name

Jesus Christ our God

Jesus

The earth will shake, and tremble before Him

Chains will break as heaven and earth sings

Holy is the name

Holy is the name of Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

The earth will shake, and tremble before Him

Chains will break as heaven and earth sings

Holy is the name

Holy is the name of Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Lift up our eyes to see The King has come

Light of the world reaching out for us

There is no other name

There is no other name

Jesus Christ our God

Seated on high, the undefeated one

Mountains bow down as we lift Him up

There is no other name

There is no other name

There is no other name

There is no other name

Jesus

Hillsong

…thoughts from July 10, 2013

Two weeks ago Sonya and I spread our loving son’s ashes on Thomas Lakes upon Mount Sopris (Carbondale, Colorado). As I was confronted with Matthew’s loss and my son’s physical remains, these verses flooded my mind…

“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7

and “…for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:19

The beautiful and physical body of my son, Matthew, has now returned to dust and inhabits a piece of earth so majestic in its creation that it hints to the Garden of Eden – a place of unexplainable beauty, peace, and life.

Around 70 people gathered in a shady, rocky, and natural amphitheater on Mt. Sopris to reflect upon and celebrate the life of Matthew, and the everlasting hope we have in Christ. The picture above is a window to the view all had as they gazed at our “stage” with its backdrop of God’s hand-painted beauty. From this vantage point our loving friends and family watched the memorial take place.

We gathered and initiated this holy ground in singing the following to our Creator God, or Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord will provide):

FOREVER REIGN

You are good, You are good

When there’s nothing good in me

You are love, You are love

On display for all to see

You are light, You are light

When the darkness closes in

You are hope, You are hope

You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace

When my fear is crippling

You are true, You are true

Even in my wandering

You are joy, You are joy

You’re the reason that I sing

You are life, You are life,

In You death has lost its sting

You are more, You are more

Than my words will ever say

You are Lord, You are Lord

All creation will proclaim

You are here, You are here

In Your presence I’m made whole

You are God, You are God

Of all else I’m letting go

Oh, I’m running to Your arms

The riches of Your love

Will always be enough

Nothing compares to Your embrace

Light of the world forever reign

My heart will sing

no other Name

Jesus, Jesus

HILLSONG – FOREVER REIGN LYRICS

Our good friend and pastor from Colorado, Charley Hill, led the memorial service and shepherded us through the following passage:

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

For me, the word “hope” began to settle into my soul at a level never reached before in my human experience. I thought of all the faithful who have gone before me who have sought “hope” in God and His kingdom to come: Abraham, Job, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, JESUS, Mary, the disciples, Paul, John (disciple and author of Revelation), the early Church, Martin Luther, William Wilberforce, slaves throughout history, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Jewish people, Christian believers in war, broken urban and suburban families, poverty-stricken people all over the planet, and those who lose a child to satan’s ploys. I pondered how the word “hope” was now taking on new meaning for me in the context of the letter to the Thessalonian church. This four letter word that Paul describes: “…and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5

As Charley finished sharing the passage above, I felt encouraged, deeply encouraged. A promise of Scripture fulfilled.

Charley then asked those present to share some of their favorite memories of Matthew. Many folks shared. As each story unfolded, my heart swelled with pride and joy. Every memory of my precious Matthew is like beautiful poetry with the music of life flowing through the words its rhythms creating his story.

The entire memorial service was in the context of a journey. Seventy of us made a long and difficult 3 ½ mile and 2000 foot ascent to arrive at Thomas Lakes. The journey up the mountain was filled with smooth paths, rough paths, beautiful paths, and difficult paths. Along the way, we were blessed with the shade of aspen groves and wild flowers peaking in splendor. It was as if God were displaying His mighty creation only to remind us that this fallen world is not comparable to the beauty Matthew is beholding as I write these words.

As I journeyed and surveyed the appealing landscape, this passage ran through my mind:

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hopefor what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Romans 8: 22-25

It was on the journey up the mountain we had time to be patient, silent, reflect, speak, pray, hope, groan, and wrestle with the reality of Matthew’s passing. At the lakes we were filled with hope in the power and reality of Jesus’ resurrection, victory over death, the truth of Scripture, and Matthew’s presence with Christ. Jesus is coming back and Matthew will be with him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). On our journey down the mountain we rejoiced for we had experienced a living “altar” to the living God.

At the lakes I challenged us all to release the anger that envelops and devastates us in an unexplainable situation such as Matthew’s passing. Matthew provided no indication of his regretful and permanent choice on March 22, 2013. He was not addicted to anything, his heart was not broken, and he was happy during the day. Later that evening he heard a voice of darkness and it presented a beautiful lie, and in about 8 minutes of time, he wrote a farewell note and took his life. It is still impossible for me to absorb and comprehend. I cannot reason it so. I cannot trace the steps backwards for indication or signs, as I have tried countless times to do. I can only conclude he heard a non-psychological, non-human, spiritual offer. He heard the seemingly pleasant voice of satan who ferociously comes in a disguise to steal, kill, and destroy. Satan has no real power but deception. And he is a liar, the “father of lies”, and in his cunning and crafty skill convinced my son in an 8-minute window of his life that he should escape reality, permanently.

The reality of this spiritual battle should make us angry. In several passages Scripture describes Jesus becoming angry with the sincere “outsiders” who were perverting the temple of God with their immediate profit and racketeering. Jesus picked up a whip and chased them out but not before He turned their tables over and spilled their wares in violent display (John 2: 13-17). In a similar manner as the racketeers, satan and his minions come to us in an attempt to pervert the followers of Christ – for we are the temples of the Holy Spirit. To be clear, satan cannot possess a believer in Christ but he can offer a form of “death” cloaked in beauty. Yes, anger is a good response and needs to emotionally compel us to fight the battle head-on, go on the offense against darkness, and not fear the evil one and his cunning lies. The victory was, is, and always will be ours in Christ.

I challenged those gathered at the memorial to throw a rock of “anger” in the lake that now held Matthew’s ashes. As each one threw, they uttered “I forgive you, Matthew.” It was important to forgive my precious little boy who unfortunately yielded to a permanent temptation in a brief 8-minute window and has caused all of us so much pain. I am absolutely confident that Matthew is sorry for his action and would ask us all to forgive him (I observed him doing this often throughout his life as he sought reconciliation for his personal mistakes). An 8-minute window will not define his lifelong love and devotion to his God and us. I forgive you, Matthew. I love you dearly. You are precious to me and to so many.

As the rock splashes and utterances ceased, I challenged those gathered to do what I do when I miss Matthew, I worship. Scriptures say that the saints in heaven worship constantly. From the apostle John:

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, 
for ever and ever!’ The four living creatures said, ‘Amen,’ and the elders fell down and worshiped.”

Revelation 5:13-14

Matthew is joining the billions of saints in heaven worshiping the Lamb of God Who was slain, but is now alive. When we worship the King of kings we join Matthew in his praise of the living Christ. I am worshiping God a lot these days. Please join me when you think of my son, and rejoice.

“But let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I’ll probably never fully understand. We’re not all going to die—but we are all going to be changed. You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it’s over. On signal from that trumpet from heaven, the dead will be up and out of their graves, beyond the reach of death, never to die again. At the same moment and in the same way, we’ll all be changed. In the resurrection scheme of things, this has to happen: everything perishable taken off the shelves and replaced by the imperishable, this mortal replaced by the immortal. Then the saying will come true:

Death swallowed by Triumphant Life!

Who got the last word, oh, Death?

Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now?

It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!

With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort.”

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (the Message)

Thank you, Lord, for Matthew’s High Country Memorial. Thank you for orchestrating every detail of the two weeks we were in Colorado reflecting on You and the mountains that Matthew so loved. Thank you for your Body that so envelops us and points us to you, the Head. Thank you for the privilege of knowing and having Matthew for nearly 15 years. He changed me forever. I praise you for him and every second of his life, each fraction of a second being a gift to his mother and me. I praise you for providing a Way, a Truth, and eternal Life in Christ. I praise you for embracing Matthew now as I no longer can, for Your love is more perfect than mine ever could be. Thank you for fulfilling every one of your 300+ prophesies of visiting earth 2000 years ago. Thank you for providing nearly 1000 prophesies of your pending return. In You I hope. In Your word I rest. You are the living Son of God who takes away the sin of the world. May the floodgates of Your love be unleashed in these last times. May I join Matthew in worshiping you as the Lord of Lords, the Lord of Hosts, the Bright Morning Star. I long to see You and have You restore holy order and remove the chaos of this fallen world. You alone make sense. You alone are to be worshiped. You alone are worthy.

“’I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.’ The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

…He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”

Revelation 22:16-21

In His love,

John Waters