I would have to say that last September was the most tormenting month I have ever gone through and considering some of the health issues I have had to deal with, that should be construed as quite a statement. I was devastated by the death of my dad but I was very happy to be not far away from where it happened that I could go to my mom and help comfort her and drive her back home. We all grieve in different ways and that first day was one of the toughest to endure. I had to try to hold up my mom and to help my own kids, who were with us, to also cope with the loss of their grandpa Rollin. I struggled to get to sleep even though that first day was so long. After being awakened in the early hours of the day, and a 7 hour drive to take mom home, then a family prayer time with our pastor at the farm before going back home to try to sleep, it was a struggle. I did my best to hold things together, just like I would think my dad would have wanted me to be.
The next day though, the tears came rolling down when I was alone at my office. But I found comfort from a source that I never expected. Not long before dad passed away I had started listening more to the Newsboys and I was really getting into them. And after dad died whenever I was at my office or at home I would play them on my computer from Youtube. Not long after the funeral when I was in the Christian bookstore that is a vendor for my book I bought some Newsboys CDs to play so I could listen to them in my pickup or wherever. It was the Newsboys and their music that helped carry me and to sustain me; to bolster my faith.
In this time of desperation
When all we know is doubt and fear
There is only One Foundation
We believe, We believe
In this broken generation
When all is dark,
You help us see
There is only One Salvation
We believe, We believe
It was their words in their music that made sure I wouldn’t forget about the Salvation we can achieve when we know our Lord Jesus Christ. I knew that my dad carried a lot of faith and when I would be at my desk in my office listening to the Newsboys music I could feel the Lord was with me and He would help comfort my grief.
We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He’s comin’ back again, we believe
My dad helped teach these things to me when I was growing up. Of course, as most of us do when we are in our teenage years, I didn’t listen as intently as I should have. I thought I could survive on my own. I was nearly indestructible. I was tough, athletic, and a macho kid of guy. Yup….I didn’t need this kind of help. I just needed to do a better job of hitting a curveball and to be fundamentally sound in the sports that I chose to play.
So, let our faith be more than anthems
Greater than the songs we sing
And in our weakness and temptations
We believe, We believe!
I came to the conclusion not long after dad’s funeral that the words of the Newsboys could help me stay on top of my grief, the loss of having my dad to look to when I needed an answer. This song helped show me my weakness and that the weaknesses I have can be turned into strength. Power that can help all of us.
We believe in God the Father!
We believe in Jesus Christ!
We believe in the Holy Spirit!
And He’s given us new life!
We believe in the crucifixion!
We believe that He conquered death!
We believe in the resurrection!
And He’s comin’ back again!
I know that by believing in Jesus and giving Him total control over me I will some day be with the Lord in His house and it will be then that I can see my dad once again because I know dad is with the Lord now.
Let the lost be found and the dead be raised!
In the here and now, let love invade!
Let the church live loud, our God we’ll say
We believe, We believe!
And the gates of hell will not prevail!
For the power of God Has torn the veil!
Now we know Your love will never fail!
We believe, We believe!
I was lost at one time. The days that I rebelled away from the teachings that my dad had given me; the same teachings that Jesus taught the world in His ministry before we crucified Him. Jesus never will fail us. But we can fail if we don’t follow Him. And run into His arms when we are stricken with grief. Because Jesus has a Forever Reign.
We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life!
We believe in the crucifixion!
We believe that He conquered death!
We believe in the resurrection!
And He’s comin’ back,
He’s comin’ back again!
He’s comin’ back again!
We believe! We believe!
I believe! I believe He is coming back again some day. And when He does, I will have a new life and I will be with my dad once again. I know this because I believe!
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household.” ~ Acts 16:31 +++