Sometimes during Christmas I think of July. One July a few years ago my brother-in-law took his own life. He was only 22. No one had any idea he would do that - not even his best friend. He had plans to go to college, and his family loved him. To this day, it doesn't make sense. Instead of looking for new clothes for him to take to school, we looked at caskets and headstones. And during holidays the memories come back. I wrote a song called "In The End" and shared it at his funeral. I am putting this song out there now for others to hear. --------------------------------------------------------------------- In the end, when dreams become reality. In the end, when sorrow is no more. In the end, when loved ones come to meet us, We will see the One we're living for. A thousand years on earth Is only a day in the world beyond A hundred years right now Is only a few hours long A world where years pass by in an instant; Where we can touch Him, when we feel alone. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Your body lasts about as long as a July fireworks display. But your soul lasts forever. Riches don't matter; gender doesn't matter. Your soul doesn't have a gender. We all have such a short time here on earth. But your soul lasts forever; This Christmas, think of Jesus, who came to earth as a baby. He lived a short life and then died for you and me. To pay for the wrongs we have all done so that we might have a home with him that lasts forever. He rose from the dead and proved that death (and all the sad things that go with it) had been conquered. It was hard for Him, but it's easy for us - just ask Him to forgive you and to be your Friend forever. Stay close to Him, learn more about Him - read the book of John (in the Bible - in a new translation you can understand) and find friends who love Him. This Christmas could be difficult except that a way was made for all of us to live forever with Him. July is over; now Christmas is almost here.... Randy Stahla