Date: 12/2/2008
<br>Author: Devin Pickard
<br>Title: Facebook
<br><br>I used to pride myself on being fairly “hip”.....I mean, cmon, back in the day (the 80's) I had all the cool gear.....Members Only jacket, tight rolled Guess jeans, and beige dock siders with no socks (shewww....not the best idea by the way).  I listened to Bon Jovi (still do), watched the Cosby Show, and of course was a big Michael Jordan fan (still am).   Now, even though I did not sport a white Michael Jackson glove, I still felt like I was a part of the “in” crowd.  But alas, with the passage of time and a somewhat (very minimal) receding hairline, I think I am slowing becoming a part of the “out” crowd.  But....there is still hope as I have recently become a “Facebook” convert.  For those of you who have been under a large rock somewhere, “Facebook” is a social networking website that helps you get back in touch with folks from your days gone by.  In just a matter of a few days after signing up, I was in contact with several former classmates with whom I had been in high school and college with.  In many ways, I suppose Facebook gives people a chance at a reunion of sorts.  Though not in person, the website gives you an opportunity to interact with your former buddies and find out what's been going on in their lives.  It is amazing to see how much everyone else has changed....I think I am the only one who hasn't aged a bit.   :)<br><br><br>There is something about the word “reunion” that brings joy to the heart and warmth to the soul.  Many a tear has been brought to the eyes of those who witness the coming home of  some loved one who has been gone from their presence for a long time.  It makes me want to weep when I think of the news footage of the  little boy sobbing when his soldier-daddy surprised him at school upon returning home from Iraq.  One of the most well known stories in God's Word is that of the “Prodigal Son”, found in Luke 15.  I suppose it is one of the most beloved parables of Christ because it deals with a reunion between a father and his lost son.  The father was understandably overcome with joy and emotion when he saw his assumed-dead son walking toward him in the distance.  Scripture says, “.....while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him”. (Luke 15:20)  Hollywood screenplay writers by the hundreds have tried to duplicate the story of the “Prodigal Son”, but no one could ever tell the story quite like Jesus Christ himself.  Of course, I guess you can tell a story pretty good when it 's your own biography.<br><br><br>Bless her heart, Janice Chessor buried her daddy last week.....and today at 1:00 she is going to bury her mom right beside of him.  These fine Christian folks, both in their eighties, had been married to one another for over 60 years.  No one was surprised to see Mrs. Allen struggle when it came to having to face the rest of her days without the man she had spent over 2/3 of her life with.  As painful as it is to give up both parents at almost the same time, Janice said she was glad to know that her mom and dad were now together again.  She commented that they had both spent their entire lives getting prepared for eternity....for the day when they would stand face to face with God.  In an ironic turn of events, I don't guess they ever thought they would stand face to face with God together hand in hand.  Pretty neat reunion, huh?<br><br>Go the extra mile - Devin            <br>