Treasures In Heaven

Storing Up Treasures In Heaven

Luke 12:33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.”

Last week I attended the funeral of a 29 your old man named Chris. During the service friends and family were asked to share stories and memories of Chris. Through their stories I was blessed to learn about this extraordinary young man.

Chris was a local weatherman in Duluth and he loved his work and he loved the weather. Chris also was in love with God and with people. Chris had a passion for sharing the Gospel and the love of Jesus with people he would meet. His Pastor and friend shared a conversation he had with Chris. He said, “I told Chris, you will one day stand before God and God will not be interested in how many correct forecasts you gave. He will want an account of what you did for him.” He encouraged Chris to follow his passion while he was young and to take a chance and go where God was leading him.

Chris took his friends advice and he quit the job he loved and moved to the Gulf Coast to share the Gospel and love of Jesus Christ with the people he would meet. He spent much of his time in the city of New Orleans. He would go down to Jackson Square and share of himself and his Christ. His friend Jeanine shared stories that revealed the heart of this man. Jeanine went to visit Chris and he was living and working in a youth hostel (like a hotel for the down and out). She said the conditions were less than desirable. Bed bugs, dirty and not real welcoming. She said it didn’t matter to Chris, he fell in love with the people and they fell in love with him.  Chris took Jeanine down to Jackson Square in New Orleans and as they were walking the people of the city (tarot card readers, the homeless, vendors) would shout out, “Hi Chris!” Jeanine said, “They all new him and then I noticed they were wearing Chris’s clothes. One man had on his pullover, another his pants, another his backpack.”

Chris died a poor man by the world’s standards. Yet he was wealthy beyond measure in God’s eyes. Chris stored up his treasure in heaven. “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ Matthew 25: 37-40

Friends

Dutches

Proverbs 18:24 “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

I spent part of New Year’s Eve day paddling on the Brule River. I had to talk myself into going as the morning started out cold and the temperature kept dropping. I had just read a funny article about winter kayaking and the man said that the requirement was to add the air temperature, the water temp and your IQ and they had to total at least 100. I did the math air temp 10, water temp around 32 that would leave me needing an IQ of at least 60. The average IQ in the U.S. is 98 so I figured I was safe to go. If you were to ask my mother she would tell you that just the fact I was going on the river showed my IQ falls way below my mark of 60. I went with the national average and not with my mothers view.

After a not so warm bike ride up to my kayak I was rewarded with the astounding beauty of the river. The ice was gaining ground on the river and after about 30 minutes I was stopped by the ice. I dragged my kayak onto the shore and was portaging around the ice when a dog appeared out of the woods and begin barking at me. We said our hello’s and she decided I was okay. After my brief portage I was again paddling on open water and my new friend was running along the bank following me. A short time later I again ran into ice and I was sitting there considering my options when my new friend came running back to see what was holding me up. She barked at me as if to say don’t just sit there we have places to go. She walked with me until I reached open water. We repeated this scene a few more times, me stopping for another portage and her barking, come on lets get going. I found myself really enjoying her company. Once we reached the landing she stood there expecting a ride home. I opened the door to my truck and she jumped in. I had a good idea who’s dog she was and I returned her to her home. Virgil was happy to have her (Dutchess) back and thanked me.

What is my purpose in writing about Dutchess. It is my prayer that in this New Year I can be that kind of friend. To accept people exactly as they are and be content and happy to be with them. To join them on their journeys. To check back and encourage them when they run into the unexpected. To offer words that just say you are not alone.

I pray that in this new year God brings into your life those kinds of friends.