Tomorrow will be my 78th birthday. Half of those who were born in my birth year of 1947 are already gone. I am grateful that I have been granted sufficient time on earth to repent, to make covenants, to learn, to serve, and to form an eternal family. Those things embody our purpose on earth.

The hymn we sang in church today said that "When I think that God His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in." (How Great Thou Art, Hymn 86).

"To die," is another purpose for which we're sent to earth.

I expect death to open an unimaginable panorama of beauty, opportunity, knowledge, and understanding. I have a sense that we are but babies in our comprehension of these coming wonders.

I was impressed today as I read in Isaiah where God said, "Abraham my friend." (Isaiah 41:8). It would be a truly wonderful thing if He could also say, "James my friend."

Abraham was a common, ordinary, shepherd. A shepherd was a despised person in ancient Egypt. Being a shepherd was about as low as a human could go. Yet God referred to Abraham as "friend." Throughout the scriptures He also is pleased to be referred to as "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." shepherds all.

I used to be a shepherd. I've learned and experienced a mountain of things since that time, but my sense is that that mountain is the tiniest of molehills in comparison to what I will know and become once I accomplish death. I am not anxious to accomplish that step, but I certainly don't dread it.

How merciful the Lord has been to show me the way. How gracious He is to have granted me the time and the opportunity to repent, to make covenants, to learn, to serve, and to form this forever family.