Dying Gracefully...

My dear neighbor went home to be with the Lord today. I am privileged to have know this Christian gem. I am particularly pleased to have been able to watch someone die with grace and praising the Lord. My last visit with her was Sunday evening and she was ready to see Jesus.

Her family reports that just yesterday upon hearing of a family member's upcoming surgery, she immediately began to pray for him. Earlier in the day she and her sisters were heard singing around her deathbed, and before slipping in unconsciousness she was raising her hand in praise.

We sometimes lose sight of the fact that death is victory! The battle of the flesh is over for Mrs. Virginia. She has reached the upward prize! The grief is for her family and the emptiness they feel, but she is singing at the feet of Jesus!

Please continue to pray for her husband. He's the dearest man who loved her greatly. And most importantly appreciate the people around you for none of us know what tomorrow brings.

You never know.....

...what you are going to get into on Visitation! If you missed last night, you missed a verrrrry interesting visit! We will have to fill you in on Sunday. It was funny, yet frightening at the same time.

I forgot to mention that I have a long history of interesting Visitation exploits, it's too late now you are in and can't escape!

I hope you are looking for opportunities to tell someone about "THE CHRIST" this week.

Also, Michelle McFarlane (Texas) is officially here! And the Beshore's have sick babies so pray for them.

Thoughts to Ponder

Following our lesson on Sunday, we concluded there were several questions that we need to ask ourselves.

1. Do you ever rob God of glory when you take credit for your own good works, or are you like John the Baptist recognizing that our ministry and the ability to carry it out are God given?

2. John said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." How are you working to actively increase Christ and decrease self?

3. In what areas of your life do you need to die to yourself and your agenda so that Christ and His bride can flourish?

My memory verse this week is Ephesians 2:8-10 because it connects the grace gift of salvation to the grace gift of good works. Either way, no man (or woman) can boast.