Run to Jesus!

PRAY for the family of AUSTIN CARLEN and all our young people--love them and keep them close.

The following went out as an email from Crossroads church tonight.

Austin is the son of Kevin and Nicole Carlen of Dassel. He has three sisters, Lexi Carlen, Anna Carlen, and Alyssa "Bisser" Carlen all of Dassel, paternal grandparents, Harlund and Mary Carlen of Dassel, maternal grandparents, Tim and Robin Kelly of Dassel, great grandparents, Dennis and Marlys Ortquist of Cokato, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives and friends. His aunt Katie Lund, her husband Joel, and many of the other relatives have been partners and friends here at Crossroads church.

The following is from the Johnson Funeral Home website - for more info go to http://t.co/26R0GYwREU

Austin Robert Carlen, age 20, of Cokato, formerly of Dassel, died Sunday, May 20, 2013, in the Richmond Area. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Philips Catholic Church in Litchfield with Father Joe Steinbeisser officiating. The interment will be held at the St. Ignatus Catholic Cemetery in Annandale following the service.

A visitation will be held on Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel. There will be a one hour visitation prior to the service on Saturday at the church.

At times like this we run to Jesus! The Word of God is full of honest and painful prayers like Psalm 22, quoted by Jesus on the cross, and Psalm 139, which promises God's presence no matter what. We look to the one who confronts and defeats the devil, the robber and thief of life (John chapters 10 and 11). And we know the victory of the resurrection which no one can ever take away (Romans 8, First Corinthians 15).

As we get to know Jesus more and more, we know that He loves those who mourn, and gives us comfort through his Word.  

When I was desperate for a Good Word from God this morning, God gave me these verses:

• "The Lord has sent me to comfort all who mourn" (Isaiah 6:1,2). 
• "God consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God." (2 Corinthians 1:4) 

Also, God provided this prayer:

You are our refuge and strength, O God, our ever-present help in trouble. Embolden us to share the good news of your steadfast love. Make us instruments your consolation, we pray, in Jesus’ name.

God bless you all.

Pastor Steve Thorson

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