Faithfully

Jesus has power over life and death in the grave. That is something that we all need to hold onto when times come that we just can't control, understand, or change. Death is certain. That's one thing we will all have to do - and when others we love pass away, we need to hold on to the fact that Jesus has power over life and death. That comforts us. That strengthens us. That gives us hope in the eternal glory that we will all have - if we have faithfully given our lives to Christ.

We continue to live while others have gone on to be with Jesus. That can be difficult - but - Jesus has power over life.. as well. Our lives. His power will strengthen us through the sorrow. His power will strengthen us through the trials. His power will strengthen us through the things of life.... and that means joyful things as well as the sad. We have the power of abundant life that only comes through Him.

I need to live that way today.

Rick's mom, Rose, passed away one week ago.... and life has not been easy for the past three months leading up to this week. But, Jesus has given my family and I the strength to persevere through the most difficult of trials as we have walked this road of obstacles the size of the Grand Canyon. God made the Grand Canyon... as much as He made the vast ocean. We have just preferred to sail on that ocean and get polished by the pounding waves, rather than get crushed by the landslide of boulders that have come our way. That's how you have to do it.

And the result of that is a family that has prayed together, loved each other through this, and will walk together beyond this. Rose was loved deeply by all of us - her friends and family were many. She lived a life of plenty and plenty lived life because of her. We've got Chippie - her bird - to take care of now. And Rosie and Ronald... and Evelyn too. God picked this family to be a very unique bunch....and now He is going to watch His fruit blossom.

Stay close to your "bunch" today. Love them. Hug them. Encourage them. Tell them that God loves them very much. Keep them safe from the things that will hurt them.... keep them strong in the things that will protect them. Keep them all on the road of that leads to eternal life.

Happy trails to you....