Precious In His Sight

This morning my phone rang at 6:02 a.m. It was the voice of David, calling from the local hospital to say his precious wife of 56 years, Anna Mary, had just passed the line of worlds and was now in the full realized presence of the Lord. She had been sick for quite a while and this morning she drew her last breath on planet earth as her husband held her hand and one of her sons was also close by.

I arrived at the hospital about 15 minutes after the call. Once all five of the children arrived, I listened as the family praised God and cherished the life they had shared together as a family. The moments were very tender. One of my partners in ministry, Pastor Jim, also soon arrived. Before leaving, we all gathered in a circle around the hospital bed as he prayed a very comforting prayer.

I'm back at home now. One verse is so very strong on my mind:
Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of His faithful ones.
-- Psalm 116:15 (GWT)

Click here: JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN - YouTube

We are precious in His sight, in life and in passing to life eternal.
Grateful

Lessons Learned in the House of Mourning

This morning one of my partners in ministry, Pastor Sam, called to ask for a sermon outline he heard me share this past year at a funeral for a teenage boy killed tragically in a car accident. Because Pastor Sam has a funeral tomorrow for an 8-year-old little girl who died of cancer, he couldn't get the thoughts I had shared out of his mind. I had forgotten the funeral outline (originally penned by Dave Redick) but quickly realized how essential these thoughts were to me at the time I shared them and how essential these thoughts still are. Here are just a few of the points in the message of mourning:

Lessons Learned in the House of Mourning:

1. Live like tomorrow is uncertain - because it is.
2. Live like life is short - because it is.
3. Live like death is certain - because it is.
4. Live like eternal life is precious - because it is.

Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 (NLT) -- (2) It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is still time. (3) Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.

Isaiah 61:3 (NLT) -- To all who mourn... He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair.

Hebrews 4:7 (NIV) says, Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.

Lord, I pray for those who have lost loved ones long before they were ready to say goodbye. I pray especially again for the family of the teenage son who passed earlier this year and for the family of this precious 8-year-old daughter who just passed the line of worlds with cancer now behind her. And give Pastor Sam words of comfort for the family and friends at tomorrow's funeral. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

The Keeper of the Planets & Promises!

Blessed Yahweh! His Love is the Wonder of the World.
-- Psalm 31:21 (The Message)

My God, Your Love is the Wonder of Your World and Your Universe, too. Help me to trust You totally, knowing that surely "The Keeper of the Planets" is also, "The Keeper of His Promises!" In the name of Jesus, the One You gave because You so loved the world! Amen.

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Him. That is why we say "Amen" when we give glory to God through Christ. -- 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT)

Third Day sings a favorite worship tune of mine -- God of Wonders :

Lord of all creation, of water, earth, and sky.
The heavens are Your Tabernacle. Glory to the Lord on high.

God of wonders beyond our galaxy. You are Holy, Holy.
The universe declares your Majesty. And You are Holy, Holy.
Lord of Heaven and Earth. Lord of Heaven and Earth.

Early in the morning, I will celebrate the light.
When I stumble in the darkness, I will call Your name by night.

Lord of heaven and earth. Lord of heaven and earth.
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth.

Holy, Holy, Holy God.
Precious Lord reveal Your love to me.
Father Holy, Lord God Almighty.

The universe declares your majesty.
You are Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy.

Halleujah to the Lord of heaven and earth.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

A Private Audience With God

A hostile world! I call to God,
I cry to God to help me.
From His palace He hears my call;
my cry brings me right into His presence—
a private audience!
Psalm 18:6 -- The Message

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

Cry Out to Jesus!

Today at 2 p.m. I will conduct the funeral service for a 20-year-old, Joshua, who passed the line of worlds in a car crash over the weekend. The pain of the family is in my heart. These words from the Christian vocal band, Third Day, are echoing from the chambers of my soul:

To everyone who's lost someone they love,
Long before it was their time.
You feel like the days You had were not enough,
When you said goodbye

Cry out to Jesus... Cry out to Jesus...

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful (But Tearful Today because of Joshua's passing and because of his friend, Brandon's passing, too... Lord Have Mercy...)