Still, I know that God lives - the One who gives me back my life - and eventually he'll take his stand on earth. And I'll see him ... [I will] see God myself, with my very own eyes. Oh, how I long for that day!
Job 19: 25-27
Saying "Goodbye"
Yesterday (October 10, 2015), I officiated my father-in-law's memorial at Palo Alto Christian Reformed Church. Pastor Matthew Burns hosted us with warmth, care and generosity. The memorial was a family affair. Aunts and uncles, cousins, second cousins and in-laws came to support my husband Fred and his brother Harold, and their families.
The service was simple. Pastor Burns welcomed us. Fred and Harold shared memories of their dad…some funny, some moving, some unusual (if you were there you remember the dog story). As with any memorial there was laughter, some stories and tears. My part was sharing a bit about my father-in-law and offering the hope of heaven.
I love officiating at memorials!
I do. I love officiating at memorials. It's one of the greatest opportunities to love people and share the Good News.
When we believe in Jesus, death is not our final termination but our transition into eternity.
“Just as the nine months you spent in your mother’s womb were not an end in themselves but preparation for life, so this life is preparation for the next. If you have a relationship with God through Jesus, you don’t need to fear death. It is the door to eternity. It will be the last hour of your time on earth, but it won’t be the last of you. Rather than being the end of your life, it will be your birthday into eternal life.”1
Jesus promised his followers:
John 14:1-6
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Revelation 21:1-4
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them.
They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
For those who know Jesus, death is not the end. It's just a temporary goodbye. I hope you know Jesus!
(Rick Warren Purpose Driven Life, pg 38-40)
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