My new book is now available. It is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Apple iBooks. It is available in paperback and kindle versions. In these divisive times it is important that we know where we stand and what we stand for. I have attempted to define the High Moral Ground. This is where we need to stand without compromise. If we cede the high ground as established by God we will be swept away in the vast plain of opinion and conjecture. If we stand firm we remain safe and secure and present a testimony of God grace and love before a dying world. Journey with my as we consider morality and its application in our world today.

Bob Gunderson

 

 

How Can It Be?

 

Jesus birth and the events surrounding it still result in disbelief, wonder, and joy. That which we celebrate at Christmas is still transforming lives, instilling hope, and bringing peace.

How can it be? Zacharias said in disbelief: How can it be that my petition has been heard and my wife Elisabeth will bear me a son?  How can it be since me and my wife are old?

The Angel said: You will be unable to speak until this has been fulfilled. His name shall be John.

How can it be, since I am a virgin? Mary asked in wonder, as the angel announced that she would have a child and His name would be Jesus.

The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the most high will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy child shall be called the Son of God.

How can it be?  Exclaimed Elisabeth with joy: That the mother of my Lord should come to me? Behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”

How can it be? That I have been so blessed to have experienced the grace of God? That I can know the joy of deliverance from sin and death through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

How can it be? In an age when the truth about Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection is so accessible throughout the world, that men would still reject God’s Love?

The Joy can be yours. Make room in their hearts for Jesus and this will be your best Christmas ever.

May God extend His Blessing to you.

 

Bob Gunderson

It is not always easy to say good-by as we acknowledge the passing of my mother-in-law Elsie.  But it is a good thing to take time to reflect and contemplate the essence of who she was and the impact that she had in the world around her.  Because of Elsie’s 90 years of life, marriage of 65+ years, 10 children, 31 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, her talents, her labors, and her prayers the world around her was greatly impacted and she will not be soon forgotten.  I believe what makes her impact, so overwhelmingly positive, stems from a decision she made as a young lady to commit her life to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Elsie became a living testimony of the grace and mercy of God.  Her faith sustained her through good times and bad.  The love of Christ lived through her defined her relationships with people.  Her utmost concern was for their salvation.  She strove to live a holy life and encouraged others to do so likewise.

As a son-in-law living 2000 miles away I saw her from afar.  Much of my personal insights were seen through the eyes of my wife.  It is possible though that there are some things that can be more clearly seen from afar and those that are closest would have to take a step or two back to see them.

As we memorialize Elsie we tend to focus on the good memories, and rightly so.  This should be our focus, but it may also be necessary to reconcile those things that are not so pleasant in our memories.  Families are made up of individuals and incidents or words can have different or even opposite effects on different members.  Often individuals feel that they are neglected, misunderstood, or marginalized.  Time does not necessarily heal all wounds, but there can and should be healing.

I believe that Elsie’s foremost concern in life was the salvation of her children and grandchildren.  Secondarily I think she would have desired peace.  Peace between her children and peace between herself and each individual child or grandchild.  Misunderstandings are inevitable for several reasons.  For one we do not always communicate well.  Another reason is that we as people have a tendency to interpret what people say rather than take their words at face value.  We also all view life from our distinct perspective that is often times distorted by our own selfishness.  Elsie probably was guilty of misunderstanding and misjudging her children’s actions and motives just like the rest of us.  And likewise her words and actions were probably misunderstood and misjudged many times.  There is only one solution to all of this that I know of and that is; A heart of thanks giving and a spirit of forgiveness.

As I visited Glen and Elsie last March Elsie shared with me her confidence that her marriage to Glen was God’s will.  Now I know that life has not always been smooth for them, nor has it always been easy.  But as I watched as this couple interacted with each other after 65 years of marriage it was obvious that they had a deep love one for another.  Their secret is this: A commitment to God and each other, a heart of thanksgiving and a spirit of forgiveness.  If we are willing to forgive, God will also forgive us.  Elsie knew this and practiced it.  Elsie rests in peace for she has been forgiven.

Several years ago while reflecting on my own marriage I tried to capture this thought in a poem.

         Time

Years have stretched the fabric

Of which God has made us one.

Yet the thread of Love is stronger

And the knot has not come undone.

Times relentless marching

Has now become our friend

Because thanksgiving and forgiveness

Triumph in the end.

Greater blessings lie ahead

More than we can afford

For Christ is yet our Savior

Great and gracious Lord

I believe I witnessed God’s continued working to answer Elsie’s prayers for her family as He brought us all together to bid her farewell.  Her prayer I believe was that we would live holy lives, be at peace with God, and live that testimony before all men.  And by God’s grace all of her children and grandchildren would be united with her in heaven to live with God forever- more.

Bob Gunderson