The church has been going through a tough time. We have lost a friend, brother, and Deacon tonight. This man was loved by all. I know of no one who has an unkind thing to say. Always a joke, or a story to tell. when he was taking offerings he was interacting usually poking at someone, making a smile.
It is at times like this that it really seems that God takes the wrong ones. His wife of 52 yrs needs him, His kids though they are grown need him. His grandkids, his friends, the church.... He has truly left a hole in a lot of peoples' heart tonight.
He was suffering from cancer, the last few months have been very tough on him. Headaches, pressure, radiation treatment and chemotherapy. Yet through it all he was always a good natured fellow. Truly he was a good and faithful servant.
Joe Houston you will be missed dearly.
It is at times like this that we most feel the need for God to speak to us. We need the warmth of the Savior's touch. We want to take the family in our arms and wrap them and keep them safe and warm during their troubles, but we feel woefully inadequate at times like these. We search for the words, we try to do what we can. when in all reality we can not do a thing but be there. Let them know we are here if they need. Everyone deals with this kind of thing in their own way.
In Luke we are told of the rich man and Lazarus. They died and woke in hell and Heaven respectively.
We know that he is in heaven walking with Jesus, talking to family who had gone ahead. We know he is in a better place, for what little comfort that brings us.
On the cross Christ told one of the thieves:
It is at times like this that it really seems that God takes the wrong ones. His wife of 52 yrs needs him, His kids though they are grown need him. His grandkids, his friends, the church.... He has truly left a hole in a lot of peoples' heart tonight.
He was suffering from cancer, the last few months have been very tough on him. Headaches, pressure, radiation treatment and chemotherapy. Yet through it all he was always a good natured fellow. Truly he was a good and faithful servant.
Joe Houston you will be missed dearly.
It is at times like this that we most feel the need for God to speak to us. We need the warmth of the Savior's touch. We want to take the family in our arms and wrap them and keep them safe and warm during their troubles, but we feel woefully inadequate at times like these. We search for the words, we try to do what we can. when in all reality we can not do a thing but be there. Let them know we are here if they need. Everyone deals with this kind of thing in their own way.
In Luke we are told of the rich man and Lazarus. They died and woke in hell and Heaven respectively.
Luke 16:22-24
King James Version (KJV)
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
We know that he is in heaven walking with Jesus, talking to family who had gone ahead. We know he is in a better place, for what little comfort that brings us.
On the cross Christ told one of the thieves:
Luke 23:42-44
King James Version (KJV)
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
Not eventually, not tomorrow but today that dying thief was taken to heaven with Christ.
Christ also told us that where He was we would be also as His children.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Now I know it is easy to put all this in print. It is easy to quote scriptures. This is of scant comfort in the immediacy of the loss. Come Sunday morning when his place is empty, when he is not taking the offering, or cutting up that will be tough.
He is in a better place with no more sorrows, no troubles, no pain, in a glorified perfect body. The rest of us here must go on with out him. We know that a day of rejoicing is being held in Heaven right now because another saint has come home.
But here on this earth we who remain have the sorrows, the pain, and the mundane to cope and contend with.
Lord grant those of us left behind the peace that passes all understanding, ease the emptiness, Father lift the Spirits of the family. They are in a tough place. there is no way for us to ease their grief Father Touch their hearts, bring to mind the good and happy memories for them. There are no words to express the grief, no words of comfort to console, only You Lord can make this bearable for them. We know there will be a day when we shall see him again, the day Lord when we see You. Bless that family Father. Amen.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
Not eventually, not tomorrow but today that dying thief was taken to heaven with Christ.
Christ also told us that where He was we would be also as His children.
John 14
King James Version (KJV)
14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Now I know it is easy to put all this in print. It is easy to quote scriptures. This is of scant comfort in the immediacy of the loss. Come Sunday morning when his place is empty, when he is not taking the offering, or cutting up that will be tough.
He is in a better place with no more sorrows, no troubles, no pain, in a glorified perfect body. The rest of us here must go on with out him. We know that a day of rejoicing is being held in Heaven right now because another saint has come home.
But here on this earth we who remain have the sorrows, the pain, and the mundane to cope and contend with.
Lord grant those of us left behind the peace that passes all understanding, ease the emptiness, Father lift the Spirits of the family. They are in a tough place. there is no way for us to ease their grief Father Touch their hearts, bring to mind the good and happy memories for them. There are no words to express the grief, no words of comfort to console, only You Lord can make this bearable for them. We know there will be a day when we shall see him again, the day Lord when we see You. Bless that family Father. Amen.
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