“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.”
Psalm 73
We are wired to defy death. We try to run from it. We seek things that will make our lives longer. Even as a Christian, I find myself fearful of how I’m going to die, what really is after this life, what life on earth will be like when I’m not here.
None of us is immune to death. It seems to be the only guaranteed health ailment. Yet even though we know we will all face it one day, how many people actually want it to come quickly? How many people don’t fear its consequences?
Over the past week, we were struck by how Steve has no fear in death. Steve has complete confidence that he will be received into glory. He has confidence in death and in life, because he knows Christ.
Steve’s cancer would be much different if he were scared. Ian’s brain inury would be much different if he were scared.
Are you scared of death? Steve’s first post after his prognosis was challenging blog readers to evaluate what they are hoping in. These trials are awful. And they are dark. But we have Christ. And we know He will receive us into glory. Sometimes, it seems like that’s all we have. But we have to believe that it is enough.
Please trust in Christ
Ian and Larissa
anonymous
September 28, 2009 at 3:16 am
again and again you point to god's truth. is it painful?…yes. thank you for being willing to suffer in "public" and point us to the only comfort we can look forward to.
it still hurts, or we would not be the humans god made us to be. i know that he loves us….i do not pretend to understand what he is doing…i just want to "embrace' it.
love to you all always…gla
anonymous
September 28, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Thank you for your inspiring lifegiving blog. Through you God touches the lives of many with his love. ~M
anonymous
September 28, 2009 at 1:13 pm
"Please trust in Christ." That says it ALL, Larissa and Ian!! Thank you for that challenge and for your words. They speak the "Truth" and how our hope and trust needs to be totally in Him and in how we will meet Him in His glory on that day when we leave this earth! God bless you all.
anonymous
September 28, 2009 at 1:51 pm
This was the text for the sermon at Living Hope yesterday, and in your post it is personified. Thank you for continuing to provoke us to faith.
Hebrews 10:19-25: 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
anonymous
September 28, 2009 at 3:19 pm
"We are wired to defy death."
And Christ is the only one who did it! By his resurrection we can rest assured that death has been defeated. He is the reason we need not be afraid.
Thank you for this post, Ian and Larissa.
I love y'all.
Praying always,
rebekah.berger
anonymous
September 28, 2009 at 8:17 pm
To know Steve and Ian by itself, will not remove the "fear of death"…however; to know the ONE that Steve and Ian know and love, will!
Jesus, thank you for your perfect love that casts out all fear.
Frank W.
anonymous
September 28, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Continually pointing us readers to Christ and His Gospel….
that is what I love about this family I have never met and this blog that encourages me and so many others.
Thanking the Lord for you all.
Wendy in Maryland
anonymous
September 29, 2009 at 3:29 am
Amen.
anonymous
September 29, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Thanks God indeed for having the Murphy's in our live. Thank you Larissa for your faith and for the many inspiring messages you posted.
Steve, you are my brother, I love you very much and I pray for all the good for you and for your lovely family. You have been an inspiration to me from the first day I met you.
Azad
Lisa
September 30, 2009 at 1:24 am
Larissa and Ian,
It's funny how God designs trials for each of us… He knows who He wants us to be and just pursues us until death to mold to that image. It seems that there are times when He really squeezes and there are times where life is more at ease. I pray that during this season of trial for you both, that there would be much joy as a result. God knows the end result. Our future is secure in Him.
Praying for you today,
Lisa
anonymous
September 30, 2009 at 2:02 am
You're my beloved, lover I'm yours
Death shall not part us
It's you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we'll be
My love it unites us and it binds you to me
It's a mystery.
Chorus from Beloved
by Tenth Avenue North