Barb Mead. As I have studied the text for this Sunday’s sermon, Barb keeps coming to mind. Of course, part of the reason is because of her graduation to glory. While I grieve her loss for us, I rejoice in the gain for her! She has received the “far better!” But, another reason she is on my mind as I study Colossians 3, is because of her commitment to the new life available in Christ. I heard her speak of this—with passion—many times. She believed the Word of God! She believed that when we received the forgiveness of Christ we also exchanged our old life for a new one. We not only gained a permanent home in Heaven, we, in Christ, have become new creatures. Barb may not have been as “sappy” as Pastor Dan was, but she was every bit as compassionate. Her compassion was not sentimental, it was tough. In other words, while she had a huge heart for the broken, the marginalized, the weak and the vulnerable, she also believed in the power of the Holy Spirit to save, strengthen and restore God’s image in anyone. She believed that we come to God “Just As I Am,” but did not believe He had any intention of leaving us “Just As We Were.” She pointed people to the reality of God’s good intentions. She could hug with tears and motivate with a crack of the whip. We’re going to miss her, for a while; we’ll see her again. But, let’s not forget the great exchange that Barb championed in her commitment, her counseling and her everyday life. “Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above.”