One rough day.

Today was one of the most difficult days we've had at our church in a long time. We're preparing for a funeral tomorrow -- our senior pastor's dad, who had been active in the congregation for decades -- which we know will be a mixed day of celebrating his life and mourning his loss.

This afternoon, another member of our congregation died -- but in much more tragic circumstances. Today's loss has torn at different emotions, but both deaths have left wounds on the hearts of many here.

There are never easy answers. Why do certain things happen in our world? Why did I lose this family member? Where do I go from here? How do I handle this pain? What do I tell our kids? What can I do to ease their pain?

Easily answered? Hardly. But the questions will be asked. The questions must be asked as we grapple with our Christian experience, as we do our best to life God-honoring lives in a sin-filled world.

"It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three -- sin, guilt, death -- are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!" 1 Corinthians 15:57 (The Message)