Grief

Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

Christianity Today Journalist to Speak at CIU Commencement

by Bob Holmes


Commencement exercises for the Columbia International University Graduate School and the Columbia International University Seminary & School of Missions will take place on May 17 at 9:00 a.m. in Shortess Chapel on the campus of CIU.

CIU president, Dr. William H. Jones will confer degrees on 132 candidates. The candidates include students from 12 foreign countries. Degrees range from certificates to master’s degrees to doctorates.

David Neff, vice president and editor-in-chief of the Christianity Today media group will be the commencement speaker. Neff works with Christianity Today magazine, Christian History & Biography, Books and Culture, and several web-based publishing efforts. In his 23 years at CT, Neff has written on topics as diverse as physician-assisted suicide, English evangelicalism, climate change, and sexual addiction.

Before coming to Christianity Today, Neff served as an editor for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He was also involved in the launch of the Journal of Christian Nursing for Nurses Christian Fellowship. He is a graduate of Loma Linda University and Andrews University. Before he entered the field of publishing, Neff was a pastor and religion teacher at Walla Walla College. He is a member of the executive committee and board of directors of the National Association of Evangelicals, and recently completed terms as a board member for Bread for the World and the Association of Theological Schools. Neff lives in Wheaton, Ill. and is organist/choirmaster at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, Ill.

The public is invited to the commencement. Columbia International University is located at 7435 Monticello Road two miles north of Interstate 20.

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