| December 2010 |
| Tim & Vicki Reiner in a Far Place |
| I Won´t be Home for Christmas; I´m Gonna Party Anyhow! |
Christmas holidays for many are filled with joy and excitement in being with family and friends.
For some though, the time is bittersweet deeply missing loved ones. Year-end days that once
brought loved ones together, now also mark separation. With heavy hearts and reluctant smiles
on their faces, they participate in the festivities. No one wants to mingle sadness with this jolly
time of eggnog sprinkled with nutmeg, blinking lights, dazzling decorations, and pretty gifts
artistically bound with shiny bows.
Life includes suffering loss which often intensifies during special occasions. Whether you are
secular, mystical, religious, or converted by Christ, suffering physically, emotionally, and mentally
is something experienced by all. Some people hurt more intensely than others. Some suffering is
explainable, some is not . . . although we try to give it meaning. It is truly a silly notion to explain
the hurt to the hurting so it will go away, because it won´t.
For some though, the time is bittersweet deeply missing loved ones. Year-end days that once
brought loved ones together, now also mark separation. With heavy hearts and reluctant smiles
on their faces, they participate in the festivities. No one wants to mingle sadness with this jolly
time of eggnog sprinkled with nutmeg, blinking lights, dazzling decorations, and pretty gifts
artistically bound with shiny bows.
Life includes suffering loss which often intensifies during special occasions. Whether you are
secular, mystical, religious, or converted by Christ, suffering physically, emotionally, and mentally
is something experienced by all. Some people hurt more intensely than others. Some suffering is
explainable, some is not . . . although we try to give it meaning. It is truly a silly notion to explain
the hurt to the hurting so it will go away, because it won´t.
| God allows believers and unbelievers alike to struggle. |
When a nonbeliever’s medical exams confirm stage 5 cancer, somewhere at another doctor’s office, a believer in Christ is also told
and fall to the ground with heart failure. Even though little of this can be brought in line with our idea of a loving caring God, it
could be about the world seeing that believers suffer differently than nonbelievers. Though sorrow may overtake us like a huge
wave, sweeping us far under the tide, where breathing is nearly impossible, a Christian carries within his heart a paradoxical
attitude about loss. The affliction of God’s child is never wasted grief. As harsh as it may be, suffering is meant to move believers
toward God.
and fall to the ground with heart failure. Even though little of this can be brought in line with our idea of a loving caring God, it
could be about the world seeing that believers suffer differently than nonbelievers. Though sorrow may overtake us like a huge
wave, sweeping us far under the tide, where breathing is nearly impossible, a Christian carries within his heart a paradoxical
attitude about loss. The affliction of God’s child is never wasted grief. As harsh as it may be, suffering is meant to move believers
toward God.
To Contact Us:
Surface Mail: Tim & Vicki Reiner
C.P.111
56.302-970 Petrolina, PE
Brazil
Email: timandvicki@inafarplace.com
Website: www.inafarplace.com
Surface Mail: Tim & Vicki Reiner
C.P.111
56.302-970 Petrolina, PE
Brazil
Email: timandvicki@inafarplace.com
Website: www.inafarplace.com
| P.O. Box 308011 Cleveland, OH 44130-8011 USA (440)826-3930 Baptist Mid-Missions of Canada 187 McLaughlin Drive ٠ Moncton, NB ٠ E1A4P4 (506)386-6601 |
| Sin is far more serious than death. Death simply takes our body to the grave. |
Christians never suffer unaccompanied. God Himself knows and understands human suffering. To have His own Son tortured to
death right before His very eyes, then hear the terrible cry, “Why have you forsaken me?” would rip a father’s heart to pieces far
beyond what human language can transmit. Few will know the anguish Mary experienced or the horror in Joseph’s heart, had he
been there, in seeing the obedient boy they raised killed. The level of torment that God in Christ felt goes far beyond any human
suffering. Even though we were there on that day, represented by one of the two guilty men on either side of Jesus, we cannot
fathom the extent of what took place in the transfer of debt from our account to His.
Sin is far more serious than death. Death simply takes our body to the grave; sin can take our soul to the ultimate separation from
God in hell. That is what makes the Gospel we teach in this far place such important news. Although we will suffer temporary loss,
God eliminated our eternal loss and nothing can undo that -- ever. Jesus is not in the manger like Christmas cards depict, He is not
on a cross like some portray, and He is no longer dead in the tomb.
Christ has gone Home and has promised to get us there as well. Now, these are good tidings of great joy. So let’s party all the way
Home! Merry Christmas!
And by the way, you are a good example of why the cross was necessary . . .
As am I, Tim
death right before His very eyes, then hear the terrible cry, “Why have you forsaken me?” would rip a father’s heart to pieces far
beyond what human language can transmit. Few will know the anguish Mary experienced or the horror in Joseph’s heart, had he
been there, in seeing the obedient boy they raised killed. The level of torment that God in Christ felt goes far beyond any human
suffering. Even though we were there on that day, represented by one of the two guilty men on either side of Jesus, we cannot
fathom the extent of what took place in the transfer of debt from our account to His.
Sin is far more serious than death. Death simply takes our body to the grave; sin can take our soul to the ultimate separation from
God in hell. That is what makes the Gospel we teach in this far place such important news. Although we will suffer temporary loss,
God eliminated our eternal loss and nothing can undo that -- ever. Jesus is not in the manger like Christmas cards depict, He is not
on a cross like some portray, and He is no longer dead in the tomb.
Christ has gone Home and has promised to get us there as well. Now, these are good tidings of great joy. So let’s party all the way
Home! Merry Christmas!
And by the way, you are a good example of why the cross was necessary . . .
As am I, Tim
| Our Daughter, Jane, and her new husband, Sean, married in August. |
15 believers are baptized into the Villa Church
| Thank You for Praying With Us |
1. Continued desire to expose new acquaintances to Christ.
2. Relevance in preparing sermons, lessons, and radio talks.
3. Encouragement within our pastors´ fellowship.
4. Guidance to rework deficits caused by the weak U.S. dollar.
2. Relevance in preparing sermons, lessons, and radio talks.
3. Encouragement within our pastors´ fellowship.
4. Guidance to rework deficits caused by the weak U.S. dollar.
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