5 Jan, 2010
Who will show up for the reunion?
BREMERTON — Richard Lewis invites his former Armin Jahr Elementary students to meet at the school's flagpole on Jan. 1, 2010.
In 1990, children in a Bremerton elementary school class made a date. In 20 years, they promised, they'd return to the school on Jan. 1, for a reunion. On Friday, the teacher and close to half his class did just that.
Though he hasn't taught there in 15 years, and those grade-schoolers today are pushing 30, he and 11 of them trickled back to the East Bremerton campus Friday just as they'd promised each other two decades ago. Nine were from one class of 20 gifted kids Lewis taught as third- and fifth-graders in 1990 and 1992.
"In some ways, they were different," Lewis recalled. "They knew how to work together and liked each other. They had a good spirit about them."
Back in 1990, when they were 8 years old, they couldn't fathom that they'd one day have children of their own, that they'd variously become a computer expert, a marketing director, a nuclear pipe fitter, a server, a land-use planner, a journalist for a sports website, an actor or a movie-theater manager.
For Lewis, the reunion was like scoring a touchdown. "It's a very wonderful feeling," he said. "This is my spiking of the ball. This is an affirmation that what I was doing was a good thing," he said of the successful reunion. "It verifies what I did for these kids and the way I did it was right."
The invitation remains open for another reunion on Jan. 1, 2020.
To view the full article by Ed Friedrich from the Seattle Times 1/2/2010 go to http://seattletimes.nwsource.com.
I Thessalonians 4:16-18 [The Message]
The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God's trumpet blast! He'll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they'll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we'll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words.
Mark 13:32-33 [NIV]
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come."
What does God's Story teach us about THE reunion of all reunions?
Wow, 20 years after a third grade teacher tells his students to meet at their school flagpole in 2010, they actually do it! Jesus told us about a reunion that will be happening at an undisclosed time...and here are some of the things that He taught us about it:
- First of all...God's Word teaches us that Jesus IS coming back. It's for sure. It's going to happen. Every single one of Jesus' promises has or will come true and this one is no exception! What an incredible day that will be!
- There are signs and indications that will happen before He comes back. You can read further about those hints and clues in Matthew 24. One bit of "insider information" that Jesus gave us was that some will try to trick us by claiming to be Jesus before He actually returns. Another guarantee is that others will persecute us for standing firm in our faith so plan to stand strong!
- Other important details that Jesus gave us include the fact that no one knows exactly when He will return (except God the Father) and that we should always be alert and ready for this great reunion at any time! Who knows...it could happen in 2010!
Connecting today's story and God's Story with my story
- Are you ready? If so, praise God! If not, talk to a local pastor or YFC staff today about how to be SURE you are ready. You don't want to miss this reunion!
- If you knew the reunion would be tomorrow, what would you do differently today? Who would you talk to about Jesus? Who would you need to seek forgiveness from? What important words would you want to say to those closest to you? Is there a reason you shouldn't do all of those things today anyways?
- When life gets hard...be encouraged that this day is coming. That is why today's scripture told us to reassure one another with these words.
Connecting today's story, God's Story and my story with my friend's story
Last fall I had a class reunion back at my high school. As that date approached, I was sure to get on Facebook and tell as many of my friends as possible about the big event... why?... because I care about them and I didn't want them to miss it.
The same is true about eternity with God. I don't want any of my family members or friends to miss it. God has left you and me with that responsibility...to tell them about Him. It is not our responsibility to save them...that is HIS job. We are just to be faithful in sharing the Good News of the Great Reunion.
Hope to see you there!
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