Funeral Service for Ron Cobourn
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· 32 viewsDeath of a godly man battling illness for 19 years.
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Transcript
Good morning and welcome to the life celebration of Ronald A. Cobourn (1951-2019)
Welcome:
All of us are gathered here today to celebrate and honor the life of Ronald A. Cobourn and a life well-lived. On behalf of the family, I’d like to thank each of you for being here today. Since getting the call early Sunday morning and speaking with the family several times, it’s obvious they have loved well, because they are loved well.
The family knows you didn’t have to stop by, send texts, prepare meals or even come today, so you being here today really shows your love and support for them.
I believe it was Maya Angelou who is known for putting this idea into beautiful words...
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
So say something if you will. Do something if you’d like, but for know that for the rest of their lives, the family will remember your outpouring of love and presence at this difficult time.
So how can we help them in their time of need?
When we feel powerless and don’t know what to say, some of the best advice I have ever heard is three simple words that begin with the letter “H”.
Hear.
Hush.
Hug.
Hear: Just listen to them. When martha and I visited the family Sunday afternoon, you could see tears. You could feel the sadness. But if you were with us, you too, would have been inspired as we were. You would have laughed too, when they told stories about Ron’s love for hotdogs or his propensity to cheat at Monopoly. Just on Tuesday I heard even more stories about Ron I’d never heard before and Linda, for now, I’ll just keep some of those between us! But listen. Listen as they express their feelings, frustrations, and fears. Not everyone’s ready to talk right away. Be ready.
Hush: Most of us feel like we have to say something or give an answer for Ron’s death. We don’t. There are some questions we will never know the answer to this side of heaven. Scripture is sufficient in this area...
15 The course of my life is in your power; rescue me from the power of my enemies and from my persecutors.
15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me.
3. Hug. A hug can often express so much more than words. So be a shoulder for them to cry on. Be a friend for them to call on. There’s an old story of an elderly man who had just lost his wife. When he saw the man crying, a 4-year-old boy who lived next door, climbed into the man’s lap and just sat there. Later, when his mother asked the boy what he said to their neighbor, the boy replied, “Nothing mom, I just helped him cry.” Sometimes that is the best thing we can do.
Hear. Hush. Hug. This is some of the best advice I’ve heard for times like these.
15 The course of my life is in your power; rescue me from the power of my enemies and from my persecutors.
15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me.
In some way, we’ve all been touched by Ron’s life and story, and each of us feels this loss deeply. And while we can’t change it, the important thing is that we learn the things that we need to know about ourselves, about life, and about God from Ron’s passing.
We don’t have to answers. There are some questions we may never be able to know the answer for on this side of eternity.
One thing’s for sure, none of us have to face the pain of death alone. We have each other and we have God who is our ever-present help in times of trouble. He is here and it is Him we call on this morning for comfort.
3. Hug.
Prayer:
Please pray with me.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" ().
Father God, we don’t always have answers for why things happen the way they do or when they do. Ron will be missed deeply. But we also need to thank you today. We thank you for the gift that Ron’s life was to everyone, that we had the pleasure of knowing this Gentle Giant. For all this we thank you and praise your goodness. But we ask that you help us. Help us to be aware of your presence here with us today and everyday. Comfort us and fill us with the peace that only you can give, a peace that surpasses all understanding. Fill us with hope today through the promises in your Holy Word. We ask all of this in Jesus name, Amen.
Obituary:
Ronald A. Cobourn, 68, passed away peacefully at home on July 13, 2019. Born and raised in Brookhaven, PA, he has lived in Marcus Hook for the last 44 years. He is a graduate of Sun Valley High School, class of 1969 and went on to work for Ore Ida Foods in West Chester for 30 years before his retirement. During his retirement he delivered pizzas for Aston Pizza. He was very active in his church, The Bridge (formerly Marcus Hook Baptist) where he taught Sunday School and ran the Youth Group. He was an avid sports fan and coached the Vikings Girls Softball, played for Marcus Hook Baseball, and was on the Brookhaven Bowling Team. He loved to watch sports, as well, especially the Phillies and the Eagles. He loved to invent games to play, loved to dance, and enjoyed traveling to the Chesapeake Bay area. He was very active in his community and was always willing to help in any way he could. Above all else, he loved to spend time with his family and will be deeply missed. He is predeceased by his father Reese T. Cobourn and his mother in law Elizabeth Bates Waltersdorf.
Ronald A. Cobourn, 68, passed away peacefully at home on July 13, 2019. Born and raised in Brookhaven, PA, he has lived in Marcus Hook for the last 44 years. He is a graduate of Sun Valley High School, class of 1969 and went on to work for Ore Ida Foods in West Chester for 30 years before his retirement. During his retirement he delivered pizzas for Aston Pizza. He was very active in his church, The Bridge (formerly Marcus Hook Baptist) where he taught Sunday School and ran the Youth Group. He was an avid sports fan and coached the Vikings Girls Softball, played for Marcus Hook Baseball, and was on the Brookhaven Bowling Team. He loved to watch sports, as well, especially the Phillies and the Eagles. He loved to invent games to play, loved to dance, and enjoyed traveling to the Chesapeake Bay area. He was very active in his community and was always willing to help in any way he could. Above all else, he loved to spend time with his family and will be deeply missed. He is predeceased by his father Reese T. Cobourn and his mother in law Elizabeth Bates Waltersdorf.
Ron is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years Linda (nee Waltersdorf); his mother Elizabeth; his father in law Harvey Robert Waltersdorf his loving children Dennis Steweat Cobourn (Laura Warnecke), Allen Harvey Thomas Cobourn, and Bonnie Lynn Widger (Jared); his siblings Reese Thomas, Jr. (Mary) and Janet Lee Singer (Mark).
Ron is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years Linda (nee Waltersdorf); his mother Elizabeth; his father in law Harvey Robert Waltersdorf his loving children Dennis Steweat Cobourn (Laura Warnecke), Allen Harvey Thomas Cobourn, and Bonnie Lynn Widger (Jared); his siblings Reese Thomas, Jr. (Mary) and Janet Lee Singer (Mark).
Ronald A. Cobourn, 68, passed away peacefully at home on July 13, 2019. Born and raised in Brookhaven, PA, he has lived in Marcus Hook for the last 44 years. He is a graduate of Sun Valley High School, class of 1969 and went on to work for Ore Ida Foods in West Chester for 30 years before his retirement. During his retirement he delivered pizzas for Aston Pizza. He was very active in his church, The Bridge (formerly Marcus Hook Baptist) where he taught Sunday School and ran the Youth Group. He was an avid sports fan and coached the Vikings Girls Softball, played for Marcus Hook Baseball, and was on the Brookhaven Bowling Team. He loved to watch sports, as well, especially the Phillies and the Eagles. He loved to invent games to play, loved to dance, and enjoyed traveling to the Chesapeake Bay area. He was very active in his community and was always willing to help in any way he could. Above all else, he loved to spend time with his family and will be deeply missed. He is predeceased by his father Reese T. Cobourn and his mother in law Elizabeth Bates Waltersdorf.
Ron is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years Linda (nee Waltersdorf); his mother Elizabeth; his father in law Harvey Robert Waltersdorf his loving children Dennis Steweat Cobourn (Laura Warnecke), Allen Harvey Thomas Cobourn, and Bonnie Lynn Widger (Jared); his siblings Reese Thomas, Jr. (Mary) and Janet Lee Singer (Mark).
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Sharing:
Today we really want to honor and remember Ron’s life. When the reality of death sets in, we are often taken by shock. One of the ways to work through our hurt and pain in losing a loved one is to share stories remembering the person and the positive difference they made in the world. We know Ron wasn’t perfect, but we also know he impacted many lives.
Neil:
Message: “God So Loved Ron.”
“God So Loved Ron.”
Ron loved the story in when a religious leader, a Pharisee named Nicodemus went to visit Jesus and have a conversation with him about eternal life.
Nicodemus went to Jesus to try to understand where and how to re-aim his life.
Jesus told Nicodemus that there is a difference between spirit and body. Bodies will die, but our spirits live forever.
1 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
2 This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again.
8 The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.
10 “Are you a teacher of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied.
11 “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony.
12 If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.
14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
5 Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again.
John 3:
See Jesus wanted Nicodemus to understand that there is more to life than what we can see, hear, touch, smell, and feel with our natural senses.
1 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
2 This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again.
8 The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.
10 “Are you a teacher of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied.
11 “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony.
12 If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.
14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.
20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.
21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”
C.S. Lewis wrote,
“Aim at heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’. Aim at earth and you get neither.”
What you believe about what happens one minute after you die could change everything forever.
This belief most likely would impact your interaction with water forever. Would you waste it? Would you let the water run while you brushed your teeth?
Ron’s favorite part of the story was when Jesus said to Nicodemus,
16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
This was deeply personal for Ron. He took those words to heart. That God not only loved the whole world but also the whosoevers. Meaning, the Ron’s and the Aaron’s and the Linda’s of this world. God So Loved Ron.
But this was also a struggle for Ron. While anchored to this truth, the last 19 years of Ron’s life were one struggle after another. More than 40 hospitalizations representing nearly 4 years of his life and surgery after surgery. He was in pain. He wasn’t able to do everything he had once prided himself in. Yet he knew that he was so loved by God.
In we learn something about the individual human life.
2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.
3 You show that you are Christ’s letter, delivered by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God—not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
The Apostle Paul stated that our lives are like a letter written in people’s hearts. This mean’s that everyone teaches us something about how to live, how to relate to others, and how to relate to God.
The Apostle Paul stated that our lives are like a letter written in people’s hearts. This mean’s that everyone teaches us something about how to live, how to relate to others, and how to relate to God.
Today, we’re gathered to celebrate the life of Ron Cobourn. For his family here this morning…
to his beloved wife Linda, he wrote a love-letter 44 years long!
For Dennis, Allen, and Bonnie he wrote a letter of love, care and creativity in raising each of you.
For the grandchildren it was a letter of deep gratitude for the joy you brought to his life and profound love.
And you know, everyone of us here today will write a letter with our lives that will teach others something about life. Certainly these lessons can be positive or negative depending on how we choose to live this life that we’re never promised but are privileged to have. But I can tell you with absolute certainty…The letter of Ron’s life is not only one worth reading, it’s worth emulating! This letter is “not written with pen or ink” but by God’s Spirit that was alive and well within Ron guiding and directing his life and causing him to have left behind a legacy of faith in God and trust through trials and now all who come behind him will find written in his letter a commendation by God himself, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
Today, as we celebrate Ron and honor his life I’d like us to consider this letter that was sealed on earth just a few days ago but that we can now open and remember forever.
Ron certainly did teach everyone he knew something about life, didn’t he? He taught us how to live. I asked some of the family to describe Ron in a just a word or two and their responses were enlightening.
One description was given for him. Sweetest man. Linda said that when she met Ron at 20 years old, it was his kindness that compelled her to give him her phone number. And of course the rest is history. Bonnie said, people knew my dad as the gentle giant. He never had much, but he never hesitated to share what he had.
Ron and Linda founded an unofficial organization called “The Lost Boys”. It was simply an open door to anyone who needed a warm meal, the example of a loving family, and place to lay their head.
They only had two rules. If you’re with us on Wednesday night, we’re going to kids club at church. If you’re with us on Sunday, we’re going to church. It was this sweet man, this gentle giant that God used to impact lives for eternity. Yes, he taught us how to live.
32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
“
4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
Another descriptor used for Ron was “Always smiling.” I love this. And it’s true. He had huge smile and an infectious laugh. But if you knew Ron, you knew he had plenty of reasons not to smile. And to be fair, it was a struggle. I had many conversations with Ron and the last 19 years of his life were a struggle. Over 40 hospitalizations, too many procedures to count, and so much pain. But I can tell you, that even in the struggle. Even when we’d have direct and honest conversations…he’d find a reason to smile. He’d find something to be thankful for. He’d look for the bright spots. He would tell stories. Man, Ron was a great story teller! He’d remind himself that God was still using him. He’d pause from reflecting on his own situation and he’d ask about someone in the church or community that he knew was struggling as well. That takes a strong man. It takes a faithful man. It takes a man that smiles and remembers that God is good, when life is hard.
Did you know the Bible talks about joy & laughter & smiling a lot? It does!
says, “God has given me cause to laugh…”
3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,
4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.
ROmans 5
12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
27 If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,’
Job
If anyone was justified in complaint, it would be Ron. He endured more than most. But he always found a reason to smile.
It may seem strange to mention laughter at a funeral but as long as we’re talking about Ron we need to look at what his life is teaching us…
Yes, he taught us how to live didn’t he?
Be kind!
Be compassionate.
Look for ways to help those in need.
Find a reason to smile!
What’s the lesson here?
says, “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues were filled with joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them’.”
A person who laughs a lot…you know? The healthy kind of laughter. Appropriate and not at anyone else’s expense…That kind of person is at peace with themselves and with others. Isn’t true that laughter can defuse tense situations? In moments of high-stress, a funny observation can relieve and anxiety and help everyone relax. Laughter unifies people. A home filled with laughter is a home filled with people at peace with one another. It’s a home that’s filled with joy! What’s the lesson in this?
Seek to live your life in a way that values others, demonstrates compassion, and instills joy!
You know, that’s the gospel right? Jesus died so that we would be unified with God and with others! Jesus broke down the walls of hostility between race and gender and backgrounds, In Christ we are all one! There is peace. The gospel is this: says, “In this world there will be trouble, but REJOICE, see BE JOYFUL (SMILE) because in Jesus there is peace.
Ron did the best he could with what God had given him. You know, that’s really all any of us can do. But that takes strength. How do you think he had such strength?
The bible says it was given to him by God. Look at this…
“The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart,
he helps me and my heart is filled with JOY.”
Ron’s life teaches us that the joy of the Lord is our strength!
says, “This is the day the Lord has made,
let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
Ron taught us so much about how to live in this letter of his. He taught us that life is unpredictable and that life is short and there are many things a person can’t control. He also taught us, that there are many things a person can control.
His joy teaches us that nothing should be wasted! Nobody should be taken for granted!
Ron taught us so much about how to live in this letter of his. He taught us that life is too precious to worry all the time and people matter too much to see their needs and then do nothing about it.
Ron never stopped loving his family.
Ron never stopped loving his church.
Written on the pages of his life’s letter to you and me and everyone here today he would say, “Life’s too short to think only about yourself. There’s fulfillment, and joy, and peace in taking time out to love and serve others.” Once again, in Billy’s life, he shows us Jesus. Are you seeing the pattern here? For Billy, it was all about Jesus. Billy loved people because Jesus loved Billy. See,
Ron never stopped loving his community.
Ron never stopped sharing God’s love with others (even in his many hospitalizations).
Ron never stopped loving the care-givers that would frequent his home.
What a lesson! No matter what life takes from you, there’s more love to give. Ron taught us that. And I’m thankful that his life shows the power of the gospel...
When we experience deep love, we’re able to extend deep love to others.
Til his very last days, he’d be on the floor rolling around with his grandkids…because he loved em and was putting them first!
Ron’s favorite portion of Scripture is John 3:16
The electricians came to do some repairs and convinced them to stay for dinner and he made spaghetti! Why? Because he lived his life to love others. To make them feel valued and valuable. He didn’t care what you looked like or what you smelled like or even if he knew you all that well. He was gonna love you and make you laugh and give you dinner. That’s the kind of man he was! You know, I think Billy looks a lot like Jesus!
So in his letter he teaches us something about how to live, about how to relate to others, and he also teaches us something about how to relate to God.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
In fact, this is what he wanted to teach us the most. Lorraine said all he wanted was for today to be about Jesus!
Of all the things he taught us, the one thing he emphasized everyone must understand was how to relate to God.
About 8 years ago, I remember talking with Ron about this very verse and he said, “Aaron, I’m thankful for the whosoevers.” The term “world” is big and vague but “Whosever” means the Ron’s and the Linda’s and the Aaron’s of this world.
There was a lot Ron didn’t understand. There’s alot I don’t understand. But Ron not only understood, he personalized the great, vast love of God toward him. God so loved Ron.
If you were to open up the letter of Ron’s life, you’d learn something about life, about how to relate to others, but you’d also learn something about how to relate to God.
The first step in relating to God is knowing God. And Ron knew God! I mean he had a relationship with Him. Just as I’m speaking to you now, Ron would daily speak with God and listen to Him speak to him through his circumstances, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit at work in his heart. He entered this relationship because He recognized that more than anything else he needed Jesus in his life. Indeed Jesus was the source of his joy and compassion for others!
says, “And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only True God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
We all need God. Here’s the lesson Ron teaches us about knowing God.
Quality of life isn’t about the condition of one’s health; it’s about the condition of one’s heart. We’re all here but for a moment and our bodies wear out but Scripture encourages us… We know that Ron’s health was fading for many years, but this is what was happening inside Ron’s heart...
This is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying,
our spirits are being renewed every day. —
There is blessed assurance in knowing God. Truly, Ron understood this. I wonder, Do you know God like Ron did? Do you have a relationship with Him? Here’s the gospel…
I wonder, Do you know God like Ron did? Do you have a relationship with Him? Here’s the gospel…
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life.” —
And here’s how you can appropriate that truth into your life…
“Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”
Truly, there’s no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved but Jesus! That’s the first step. Here’s the second.
The second step in relating to God is learning to trust Him.
Scripture tells us that God’s love never fails! Trust is rooted in love. Ron trusted God with all of his heart because he believed in His great love for him!
reads, “I am like an olive tree growing in the house of God, I trust in God’s unfailing love forever.” That verse is telling us that trust causes good things to grow. And that is obvious in Ron’s life. Because he trusted God…his faith grew…his love grew…his grace toward others grew…grace toward himself grew...he grew in humility…he grew in character…he grew in endurance…he grew in perseverance...
Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.
And just as the Cobourn’s had many one word descriptions for Ron, it has been said that God too can be described in a word. In fact, there are too many to mention but there is one that rises above the rest. That word is LOVE.
In this incredible letter, that is of Ron Cobourn’s life, the letter we’ve opened and examined today perhaps the greatest theme is LOVE.
God so loved Ron. And God so loves you too. As we grieve the loss of our friend and family member today, we remember that we are all so loved. So let’s honor Ron’s life, but loving God and loving others as well.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Ron isn’t in pain anymore.
"If you cry, it will get better" is the meaning of this second Beatitude, says Brittany, age 6. Brittany, if you cry for the right reasons, you will indeed get better because God will comfort you.
"This verse means to pray for those who are sad," says Todd, 9. "Try to help them take their mind off it. Invite them over to spend the night or to a water park."
1 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
2 This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again.
8 The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.
10 “Are you a teacher of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied.
11 “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony.
12 If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.
14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.
20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.
21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”
Todd may be onto something. I've never seen anyone mourning while slipping, sliding and screaming down a water park slide.
"I mourned when my puppy ran away," says Taylor, 11. "I cried for hours, wanting him back, but he never came back. We got a new dog, but I still cry sometimes."
All of us experience losses, but our hearts don't want to accept them. We're left feeling hurt and powerless.
"'Blessed are those who mourn' means that God blesses those who have a tender heart," says Sean, 10. No pun intended, but now, we're getting to the heart of the matter.
Of all the paradoxes in the Beatitudes, this is the most dramatic. "It's an astonishing thing to speak of the joy of sorrow, of the gladness of grief, and of the bliss of the brokenhearted," writes Bible scholar William Barclay.