Generation to Generation

I do not take for granted the fact that my parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents loved the Lord and others well.

My Grandpa Gierhart wrote to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in 2011 the following:

Greetings, I believe this is a day when we are especially to honor war veterans. But we also remember all of our families who have died. Ed (my dad) has been gone over one year now, but he certainly has not been forgotten. Of course Jim Helmick (my uncle) is not forgotten. My mother has been gone 80 years and that is a long time to remember. But what a blessing it is when we know they have died in the Lord. But think of those who have died in their sins. John 8:24 “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not than I Am, Ye shall die in your sins.” ( I am he) “he” is not in the text. Do we not know that Jesus said unto those who claimed they descended from Abraham, "Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58). 

I am very afraid that those of us who are in Christ and attend our church very faithfully are also due to an awakening. It is very simple; we are too comfortable both physically and spiritually. If Christ, who is God the Son, from the time that the Holy Spirit descended on Him, allowed the Holy Spirit to take full control of his life, and we are to be like Him, then what? Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”

Certainly we need to earn a living, Colossians 3:23, 24 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ.” I am sure that this is enough for now, so enjoy the weekend.

Wow, that is a power-packed email message from my grandfather who was 92 at the time of the message. Later he writes, "If you do not stand for all of the truth (God's truth) you begin to tolerate error and finally end up resisting the truth." Grandpa is now in heaven. My Grandma Gierhart, now 97, is still a walking testimony of God's goodness. She exudes joy and is a prayer warrior for our entire family. My Grandpa and Grandma Brooks, both in heaven, also faithfully prayed for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and loved us all. My dad has been in heaven for more than eight years. He was simply the best in every way. My mom ties with him, and she is a walking testimony of living by faith as she walks through cancer with amazing faith and unspeakable joy. What a blessing to have such loving examples!

Psalm 78:2-4 states, "I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done."

So whether you come from a family that has had generations of Christ-followers or you are the first one to make that decision, God can use you to spread His love, grace, and truth!

I found airlines tickets to Denver for $20 one way and $30 to come back home, so I am going to head to Fort Collins for a quick extended weekend to see my 97 year old grandmother. I haven't been to see her in four years! I am so excited!

Grandma Gierhart and I in 2014.

Grandma Gierhart with some of her great-grands.

Grandma Brooks and I in 2009.

Grandpa and Grandma Brooks and some of their grands.

Grandpa and Grandma Gierhart with some of their grands.

My mom, dad, sister, and I in 2008.

I have quite a few family members that I look forward to seeing someday in heaven. My prayer is that I continue what they have begun, and I am trusting God for the ability to do just that. Philippians 1:6, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."