This morning my mind is alive, inspired, energized. Probably a carry over from yesterday evening when I read the book, “Heaven is for Real.” The story of Colton Burpo’s experiences in a near death illness. Thank you Jerry and Phyllis for giving me the book. It was a fabulous read! Children are so precious, so loved. They hold a special place in most peoples hearts. Jesus often used them as examples of what faith really is. I can only say wow, what a God we serve, what a Savior we have, and he is with me everyday, His Holy Spirit guides me.
I struggle today as to how I might use this writing to remove some of the IF concerning death. I too have been given a heavenly vision, a peak into the unknown. That vision is imprinted in my mind. I will never forget, I thank God for it. As we struggle through this life we must realize that there a heaven to gain and a hell to shun? The Bible is God’s outline to the were to, and how to, for my life. However, I fear there is an ever increasing host of people who don’t believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God. It is just another book. Some would say that is ridiculous, but often those same people never read it’s pages. When the enemy comes against us the power of it’s words will run him off. I believe the Bible to be God’s roadmap for us. It identifies a loving God, who send His Only begotten Son into a sin sick world, to offer man redemption and eternal life with Him. The resurrected Jesus, who sits at God’s right hand, intercedes for us everyday, and has prepared for us an eternal heavenly home. What if one chooses not the things God has given. There is also a flip side for the one who choose a course away from God and that will be hell. Many people have had a glimpse of both and most who have had a glimpse are never the same. I encourage you to read the Bible, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth. What have you to lose? What if someday you are asked why did you loose your way; why you did not read His word. God loves you, He wants you to be with Him forever, in a place beyond our wildest dreams. Yes, read the Book, and believe the truth, time is short, decisions that will effect all eternity are before you. Seek Him with your prayers!
I close with a scripture, ( 1 John 4:18), There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” So it you fear the if’s in life I encourage you to seek the author and finisher of our faith. The same God who created you wants to welcome you home. He loves you beyond understanding, He has prepared a wonderful place for you. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man, the things that God has prepared for us.” His love can cast out all the fears you have of death, IF you believe and trust in His Word. Praise His name forever!
Holding fast,
Bill
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
What Do We Do When Things Fall Apart?
Through the difficult night as I labored to sleep the message, “draw neigh unto Me and I will draw neigh unto you,” kept coming. In the most difficult times, when we ask why, we are invited to draw close to God and He will draw close to us, and comfort and love us. In the deep mysteries of life I’m often tempted to question why. The faith that was strong to believe, “that all things work for the good of them that love the lord,” was shaken as another mystery presents itself, I am once again left to believe what my faith has prepared me for.
Oh, that I could find something to comfort in such a time as this. There is only One that can truly do that. Jesus himself said, “In this world you will have trouble and trials, but believe in Me for I have overcome the world.” My faith, and all who believe, will someday claim victory. Until that day I must face what the day brings with confidence in my Lord and cling to Him for the strength to carry us through. As our Countryside family mourns the loss of this precious child; may God, who cares for him now, bring assurance to our hearts.
In His service,
Bill
Oh, that I could find something to comfort in such a time as this. There is only One that can truly do that. Jesus himself said, “In this world you will have trouble and trials, but believe in Me for I have overcome the world.” My faith, and all who believe, will someday claim victory. Until that day I must face what the day brings with confidence in my Lord and cling to Him for the strength to carry us through. As our Countryside family mourns the loss of this precious child; may God, who cares for him now, bring assurance to our hearts.
In His service,
Bill
Friday, May 6, 2011
Mothers
Mother,” the female parent of a household. In the Hebrew family, the mother occupied a higher position than that enjoyed by women of other nations.”That’s from Nelson’s Bible Dictionary. I believe I can do better than that. There are references to motherhood throughout the Bible but as often the case this subject is difficult to put into words. As I look back across my life there is nothing that touched my being like my mother. Only Jesus has touched me more. As I look back across the years now I find myself asking, was there ever a time she wasn’t there when I was growing up. It seems to me that she was an ever present loving, caring, person that gave herself always second place in the family. Make no mistake we were poor by the worlds standards but Mom always made a way to make her family feel special. I could use up all the space in this e-mail detailing those memories and her commitment to her family. She never worked outside the home, never took a vacation, and was always there to provide something special. In those days room mothers were encouraged and many a year she would volunteer to provide special things for special days. She never obtained a drivers license as she didn’t see any reason to have one. In fact I don’t remember Mom shopping for anything but groceries, what little else we could afford could be ordered from a catalog. That usually only occurred one time a year before school started. I never left home in the morning without a warm breakfast, I never returned from school that she was not there. I can not, nor would I even be able to, tell of all the ways my mother demonstrated her love.
I often find myself wondering what is that spark that makes a women a mother. God created in women a special set of skills that only she could administer. I have met many wonderful people in my life; I have been blessed by them but no one has loved me like my mother did. The last ten years of my mothers life was difficult as during that time she struggled with three different cancer’s. In 2003 ovarian cancer finally ended her life. I was away on vacation when I received the word that she was dying. I drove straight through the night to get home but not in time. My brother recalls her final moments when she set up in the bed and reached out for something beyond the physical death that came. Mom was going home.
I suppose there are many who will read this e-mail and say yes that was my mom, for you see I believe God has placed in the hearts of the female a special capacity that we men have not, nor will we ever have, the capacity for love that most mothers have. There is a purpose for everything under heaven, and I thank God that he purposed for me to be born and raised by such a fine women. What inspires a person to achieve beyond themselves, to be able to form other’s lives, to put themselves second to everything else without complaining or boasting. There is only one word for that and that is MOTHER. I thank God for mine; I believe she was the one thing in life that taught me what love really is. When I met Jesus, and He entered my life, I was now able to see where mom’s love came from. As a child I acted as a child and it was mom who kept my life together, but when I became a man, and was responsible for my life, I believe I was better able to see God’s love for me because of my mother. I ask you isn’t that what God created mother’s for?
Abe Lincoln’s remarks concerning his mother has always inspired me. He said, “all that I am I owe to my mother.” Not every child born will say that of their mother. Sorry to say some probably don’t deserve it but God intended for you and me to be nurtured and loved by our mothers until such time we are mature enough to accept our place in His world and assume the role he has created us for. Thank you Lord for your wisdom, thank you for mothers, and thank you for your Grace that makes it all possible. As often when I write of the things of God I feel that I have not really done justice to that which I write. That is true today. Nothing this side of heaven can truly tell of the love of a mother. Thank you Lord!
Bill
I often find myself wondering what is that spark that makes a women a mother. God created in women a special set of skills that only she could administer. I have met many wonderful people in my life; I have been blessed by them but no one has loved me like my mother did. The last ten years of my mothers life was difficult as during that time she struggled with three different cancer’s. In 2003 ovarian cancer finally ended her life. I was away on vacation when I received the word that she was dying. I drove straight through the night to get home but not in time. My brother recalls her final moments when she set up in the bed and reached out for something beyond the physical death that came. Mom was going home.
I suppose there are many who will read this e-mail and say yes that was my mom, for you see I believe God has placed in the hearts of the female a special capacity that we men have not, nor will we ever have, the capacity for love that most mothers have. There is a purpose for everything under heaven, and I thank God that he purposed for me to be born and raised by such a fine women. What inspires a person to achieve beyond themselves, to be able to form other’s lives, to put themselves second to everything else without complaining or boasting. There is only one word for that and that is MOTHER. I thank God for mine; I believe she was the one thing in life that taught me what love really is. When I met Jesus, and He entered my life, I was now able to see where mom’s love came from. As a child I acted as a child and it was mom who kept my life together, but when I became a man, and was responsible for my life, I believe I was better able to see God’s love for me because of my mother. I ask you isn’t that what God created mother’s for?
Abe Lincoln’s remarks concerning his mother has always inspired me. He said, “all that I am I owe to my mother.” Not every child born will say that of their mother. Sorry to say some probably don’t deserve it but God intended for you and me to be nurtured and loved by our mothers until such time we are mature enough to accept our place in His world and assume the role he has created us for. Thank you Lord for your wisdom, thank you for mothers, and thank you for your Grace that makes it all possible. As often when I write of the things of God I feel that I have not really done justice to that which I write. That is true today. Nothing this side of heaven can truly tell of the love of a mother. Thank you Lord!
Bill
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