Laugh!

Heaven: Home With The LORD

Over the past three days, three people I knew died and went to heaven. One was the father of a lady in my church. Anka's dad lived in Romania. He was a farmer from the old country. He worked Tuesday morning and at night died in his wife's arms. Judy Mucci went to be with Jesus late Wednesday night. She had battled cancer for many years. Early this morning Eloise Brooks, a member of my congregation, finished the race well. She was one incredible lady. I will officiate at her funeral here at the church I pastor this week.

All these people died with strong faith in Jesus. All of them are with Him now. Families are left here on earth without loved ones but not for very long. Jesus is coming again. All those who died believing on Him will rise again just as He did. This is our faith. I watched this faith and the LORD Whom it is comfort those sorrowing today. This week at Judy Mucci's Homegoing Celebration there will be similar things happening. I wanted to go to that one but my schedule does not permit me to.

There is going to be a meeting in the air in the sweet by and by. We'll all see Jesus and sing and shout the victory. Keep trusting in Jesus. If you haven't ask Him in right now. He is standing at the door of your heart and knocking to come in! Make your reservation now for that meeting- it will be glorious!

A Prelude to Fall

Saturday Morning Rain

Its raining, its pouring... I'll stop there!

Most people complain about the rain. Psalm 147.7-8 says (about the LORD) Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; He supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.

We are told here to thank Him for the rain. When is the last time you heard someone say, "Oh I am so thankful for this rain!" or "Oh boy- isn't this great- a rainy day!"

Being a gardener changes your perspective. I love what it has done to me. among many other things it has made me appreciate the value of rain. It becomes something we need and look forward to. It actually lessens our care of the garden and makes what care we give (weed pulling) afterwards a much easier chore.

Life is often like a garden. The things we dread become blessings. The things we think are unpleasant are what we need. William Cowper, a 19th century poet and hymn writer wrote these words:

God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the LORD by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding ev'ry hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow'r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
GOD is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.

Ahhh Saltwater!!! In my backyard- well not literally but...almost!

Approaching 9-11

In a few days we will mark the 6th anniversary of that tragic and sad day in our nation's history when United Airlines Flight 175 and American Airlines Flight 11 were flown into the World Trade Center in New York City and American Airlines Flight 77 was flown into the Pentagon, while United airlines Flight 93 passengers heroically attempted to retake control of their plane from the hijackers and crashed in a field in rural Somerset County in Pennsylvania. 2,974 Americans were killed as a result of these attacks.

All of us remember what we were doing when they occurred. It was a horrible day.

As we approach the 11th in a few days don't let it go by without some reflecting. It would be a good time to pray for our troops in Iraq and the people of Iraq who have suffered because of the insurgency.

If you would like to read more thoughts from a spiritual perspective then I invite you to jump over to another blog at http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/

Great TV

LikeTelevision Embed Movies and TV Shows

One Incredible Video and Some Incredible Pictures

Every once in a while I run across some things worth passing on.

Video:

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5

Pictures:
http://www.path-2-online-success.com/when-god-paints.htm

Enjoy!

Moe's Miracle

Moe had been barking at the cat next door all day. When we left for the hospital he was outside and didn't want to come in so we let him stay outside. When we got back, I went to let him in and he was gone. He must have jumped on the gate long and hard enough to jar it. Lucy and I went all over. We asked the neighbor- across the street- he said he saw him like 5 minutes ago but didn't realize it was Moe.

Then we went to where he said he saw him go- next door to the cat. I rang Rose's bell- she didn't see him. Now I have the neighbor out and Rose's son. We combed the neighborhood. Two more neighbors got involved. Then I went behind us to Helayne. Pete her husband hopped in his SUV and joined us. We caught up to each other and he told me he ran into Ray the Fire Chief and asked him if he had seen a dog loose. Ray said he saw a dog on the express part of Sunrise. I told Lucy, "This is it. He's dead if he is up there." She started to cry. Pete said he was going up onto it. We did too. No sign of Moe at all. It was both encouraging and perplexing.

Then we started to think someone maybe picked him up. Tim's father told how their dog was taken from their house - outright stolen (by someone they knew). My arms were getting weak from the stress and I told Lucy I can't drive anymore.

We went back to Helayne's (this must have been an hour later) to see if she heard from Pete. She had not. I told her what Pete told me about Sunrise and she screamed. As we were standing there her nephew came running out and said, "Pete has Moe!!!" I was still so stressed out that I asked, "Is he alive?" He said, "Yeah! He is fine." This is incredible- actually a miracle! God cares about the animals (Jonah 4.11)

Pete arrived with a pretty shaken up Moe about 3 minutes later. When they opened the door he started licking me very gently. It turns out that some boys were in a Jeep, saw him on the highway, and stopped (God bless these kids) and picked him up. They were at the Plaza where Mulberry Street Pizza is. Just incredible- A Happy Ending.

Thanks Pete and these unknown heroes. I have good neighbors. We are blessed!... very blessed!