Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Friends, Death, and my Memorial Day
We just had Memorial Day celebrations in the United States. This is the day we remember those who fought to ensure the political freedoms of this nation. There was talk of sacrifice, death, and heroism.
So it got me to thinking about the people I love who are real heroes. People who fought for the real and lasting freedom found in Jesus. People whose lives made a difference. People who battled Satan.
And people who died. When nothing else worked, Satan used the death weapon. And he still lost.
So here is my Memorial Day remembrance and thanksgiving.
Tina. Satan used cancer and it only took a few months. But I was there in her hospice room. It was a holy place. Even a place of joy. And of peace. Death lost. Jesus and Tina won.
Josie died of cancer too. Went into remission for a while but the cancer came back stronger. I spent time in her hospice room also. Prayed with her. Took communion with her. Talked about Jesus. She died and went home. Satan lost that one too. Some of her family are now talking with me about following Jesus. Josie and Jesus won.
DeLynda too died of cancer. Just a matter of weeks from diagnosis to death. There are going to be a lot of people in heaven some day because she believed. Struggling believers that she would not give up on and that she kept loving. People that did not know Jesus. People she studied with, prayed with, counseled. People she helped find Jesus. Satan lost again. Delynda and Jesus won.
Three soldiers of the cross. Each of their deaths was precious in God's eyes. People whose deeds follow them still. People who now get to see God face to face.
Satan thought death would give him victory, but Jesus turned death into our victory.
So thanks Tina, Josie, and Delynda. I remember you. I know you are free. And I know you helped others to be free.
Really free forever.
So we will tell your stories.
And we will use them to help others know and to see Jesus.
So it got me to thinking about the people I love who are real heroes. People who fought for the real and lasting freedom found in Jesus. People whose lives made a difference. People who battled Satan.
And people who died. When nothing else worked, Satan used the death weapon. And he still lost.
So here is my Memorial Day remembrance and thanksgiving.
Tina. Satan used cancer and it only took a few months. But I was there in her hospice room. It was a holy place. Even a place of joy. And of peace. Death lost. Jesus and Tina won.
Josie died of cancer too. Went into remission for a while but the cancer came back stronger. I spent time in her hospice room also. Prayed with her. Took communion with her. Talked about Jesus. She died and went home. Satan lost that one too. Some of her family are now talking with me about following Jesus. Josie and Jesus won.
DeLynda too died of cancer. Just a matter of weeks from diagnosis to death. There are going to be a lot of people in heaven some day because she believed. Struggling believers that she would not give up on and that she kept loving. People that did not know Jesus. People she studied with, prayed with, counseled. People she helped find Jesus. Satan lost again. Delynda and Jesus won.
Three soldiers of the cross. Each of their deaths was precious in God's eyes. People whose deeds follow them still. People who now get to see God face to face.
Satan thought death would give him victory, but Jesus turned death into our victory.
So thanks Tina, Josie, and Delynda. I remember you. I know you are free. And I know you helped others to be free.
Really free forever.
So we will tell your stories.
And we will use them to help others know and to see Jesus.
