Prince of Peace

An adult male Green-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga nipalensis angkanensis), Doi Inthanon National Park, Ban Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand by JJ Harrison

Good morning, beloved,

A morning of quiet, knowing I should keep moving, but I find myself longing for His presence, in light of the news I have heard, I need Him more.

My friend’s Mom was hit by a car Tuesday night. She died instantly.  I keep looking at my loved ones and feeling a creak in my heart. I spent some time with my Mom yesterday working in our garden which looks fantastic all thanks to her. I just kept gazing at her, gazing at my kids, my husband. Never miss an opportunity to tell someone you love them. Never.

And then this morning, the news was this story of a lone gunman going into a midnight showing of the newest Batman movie and just shooting. So far 14 are confirmed dead, 50 are injured and those numbers can flex. And I wonder, how do I convey the hope that is within me?

You see, Sue went instantly into the arms of Jesus Tuesday night. Ushered by angels. She loved the Lord passionately and wanted her memorial service (when it was to happen) to point people to the Savior of the World. The Prince of Peace.

Matthew 24: 6

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in place after place;

And we cry, we mourn, those of us who watch these travesties occur upon God‘s beautiful orb. Our loved ones are ripped from us by war (I would say a gunmen shooting at you could qualify..), disease, natural disasters…yet we forget the moment with open our eyes with Jesus…

Revelation 21: 

³ Then I heard a mighty voice from the throne and I perceived its distinct words, saying, See! The abode of God is with men, and He will live (encamp, tent) among them; and they shall be His people, and God shall personally be with them and be their God.

⁴ God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditionsand the former order of things have passed away.

⁵ And He Who is seated on the throne said, See! I make all things new. Also He said, Record this, for these sayings are faithful (accurate, incorruptible, and trustworthy) and true (genuine).

When I had the privilege of walking my beloved Grandma into the arms of Jesus, I had no idea the blessings. I thought I was giving my best friend a gift by spending her last week with her. I brought my Bible, my hymnal and for five days, along with her sweet caretaker and my little kids I sang hymns. I would start at the beginning of the hymnal and just sing every hymn I knew. I wanted to keep her calm. I wanted help her. Her body was shutting down. She had stopped eating and drinking and the natural process of death was occurring.  Now, don’t you walk away because death scares you. If you know the Lord, this is the best part.

One of the Maid of the Mist tour boats approaching the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. by Saffron Blaze

The pastor came and we began reading Psalm 23 to her. Then the pastor said, tell her it is okay to go. So like my Grandma, she didn’t want to leave us all. So I did. I kissed her and loved her and then began to read the Psalm one last time with her grandchildren all around.  It was like giving birth, really. The air was vibrant, alive with the Presence of Jesus coming to get His beloved. As I read each line, I repeated each name of God and all of a sudden, she was in His presence and not mine.  It was holy. Electric. Alive.

I share this with you because death is not the end, God is continually about making all things new. He is faithful. So as you read these stories of war, famine, disease and death, you remember. Jesus is alive. He’ll never leave you, nor forsake you. Hold on to Him. Pray on. Pray on.

Black Sea Sunrise