Thoughts on Culmination

I just lost my only brother. Due to some unforeseen events, there were several weeks that passed between his death and our family's memorializing him. There are some things that you can learn by waiting...by pause after such a shocking event; you learn to be still and listen to quiet voice of God. Ronnie was 45; seemingly healthy, but cancer and fatal circumstances can be larger than all of us. In our frailness we can only grasp that it is decisively the sovereignty of God that can transcend all science and healing. Life is paper thin, and our veneer it shredded away and stripped when we face the mortality of those close to us. Whether your earthly life amounts to fame or not means nothing in the grand scene of eternity.

When faced with the planning of Ronnie's memorial service details seemed to materialize somewhat on their own. My work right now is unforgiving and overwhelming. God just works things out. In eulogizing Ronnie, I attempted to cast an image of long ago. You see in the twenty-five years since we had been apart we had scarcely seen one another, talked to one another or even had a glance at our mutual lives. It was at our mother's funeral in 2005 when it became clear to me and I realized that my brother had become a total stranger. At his memorial service, I could only muster up some childhood stories...could only cast out some faint memories....could only offer glimpses of what he once was.

The only message of hope that I could offer those listening that night was the message of eternal life; the Gospel. For twenty minutes I unashamedly shared a timeless message of God's Plan for Salvation for the lost and the dying. Paul said in Romans 1:16 that the Gospel "is the power of God unto Salvation..." I am wondering how many reading this post right now are ready for death? You can know for sure that you are indeed ready. Jesus said in John 10:10b, "I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly". But also listen to John 3:36: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Friend, you are faced with the choice of everlasting life or the wrath of God. Read more at http://www.fbtministries.org/heaven.htm with love and encouragement...I am Sherrell