Blessed Assurance
Well for starters I just love that song! However that isn't the only reason for the basis of todays thoughts. I was reading my "Daily Bread" this AM and it was telling about a gentleman who when told they were sorry about the loss of his wife he replied, "Oh she's not lost, I know right where she is!" Isn't that wonderful? That's just one of the blessings of being a Christian, we have that assurance from Jesus Himself. What more could we ask for? I've decided not to have a funeral but to have a graduation party! I want everyone to be happy that I've been able to join my Lord.
God bless!
Karen
I want an Irish Wake, a party for three days, celebrating my life. When my brothers were taken home at very young ages, we were comforted knowing they were in heaven immediately upon their death. I asked the former pastor and his wife to to sing "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me. As they sang, I wept knowing I would not see them again here on earth, and that my grandchildren would not know either of them at all. It is hard to say good-bye when we have someone die at a young age.
My Mom got upset at the minister who did my younger brother's funeral, because he quoted Ephesians 2:8-9, about not having to do works to be assured of heaven. She railed at me over and over again, as though I were responsible for him saying that. My family was Catholic when I was growing up, and there were many attending his funeral who are Catholic, but also many unsaved, non-churched people. Mom felt the message should have been more ecumenical. I told her I don't go to a Catholic funeral expecting them to do a message that won't offend me. I certainly would not go to a Jewish funeral expecting them to quote Ephesians. Why should the pastor be concerned about anyone but the deceased's beliefs that Jesus was his Lord and Savior.
Hugs,
Trish
My Mom got upset at the minister who did my younger brother's funeral, because he quoted Ephesians 2:8-9, about not having to do works to be assured of heaven. She railed at me over and over again, as though I were responsible for him saying that. My family was Catholic when I was growing up, and there were many attending his funeral who are Catholic, but also many unsaved, non-churched people. Mom felt the message should have been more ecumenical. I told her I don't go to a Catholic funeral expecting them to do a message that won't offend me. I certainly would not go to a Jewish funeral expecting them to quote Ephesians. Why should the pastor be concerned about anyone but the deceased's beliefs that Jesus was his Lord and Savior.
Hugs,
Trish
Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer