The full transcript is below.
First up, I want to thank so many of you for wishing me a happy birthday almost a week ago. Having a birthday makes me aware, of course, of moving one year closer to the age my dad was when he died. That is not sullen or sad because my dad had—and has—a great spirit. And this leads me into our text this Sunday. It’s Luke 24 where Jesus appears to his disciples in body form.
The text uses the word ‘spirit’ or ‘ghost’ when describing Jesus’ appearance. I mention all of this because probably most of you don’t know that I live here—exactly here—because at least twice a day I take the dogs out on this amazing loop. And on the loop, um, we come very close to the place where my dad actually died. Again, this is no where near morbid or even troubling, it’s actually beautiful. And so many beautiful things actually continue to happen, including my seven-year-old, who, when talking about my dad together, said, “Where is heaven?”
And she asks this question on the foothills of my explaining to her that when my dad was a farmer, Christmas tree farmer, he would sing back to birds, um, this little song. And the little birds were singing this little song around us and that’s where the question had come. It just makes me look into what she sees, my little seven-year-old, which is the awe of a God who continues to surround and surprise us and assure us of the most beautiful thing, which is that heaven is not only close, but it’s filled with people we love.
Join us Sunday. Until then, enjoy all of those people you love here and in heaven. Amen.