The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Isa 57:2 Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death
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I have often said that Earth is the closest thing we will get to hell. I mean the devil lives here right? One of the biggest stumbling blocks of a believer can be the death of a loved one too soon. We are so filled with pain and grief, we raise our hands to Heaven, WHY LORD WHY?! We wonder why such a great person that was obviously making a huge difference in the world is removed. Why did He allow that little girl to die? I believe God is giving us an answer in the verse above. They are taken away to be spared. This life is hard. Let us do everything that we can in order to spread the Good news of Christ so that fellow believers that pass on can rest in His peace. All one has to do in order to enter the gates of Heaven is to believe that Jesus Christ has died on the cross for his sins. I love the quote, "there are no atheists in foxholes". I believe that just as the sinners to His right and left on the cross had a chance to repent before death, that he offers this "last chance" to those that are about to pass on from this life. I sincerely believe that most of us having His words written on our hearts, will make the right choice.
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My dad was not a man who lived for God and often denied the existance of God. He was very kind at times but also very harsh at times. He had a softness but also a hardness. He could be very intimidating to those who did not know him. In his mid fifties he received a diagnosis of colon cancer. He fought hard up until the final weeks. I spent the last weeks of his life helping him shower and keeping him comfortable. The final week he had deteriorated to mere skin and bones and spoke not one word for days. Mumbled occasionally but no real words, no strength, no energy and the eyes stayed closed. On the final day of his life it became apparent that he was hanging on and not letting go. He appeared restless and uncomfortable. My three sisters and I cleared the living room of every one but the five of us so that we could each share memories and tell him that it is ok to go. They say the last sense to go is hearing. When we had finished, in a very clear well articulated tone, he spoke his three final words, "I love You." at that moment a peacefulness fell over him and he gave up his spirit shortly after. At the moment of his death the balloons above his bed swayed as if a breeze had swept through and his dog outside began to bark.
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I thank the Lord for the sweetness that is all around me even now as I share the story of the final moments of my dad who passed in 1997.
Shared with LOVE, from His delighted servant...Shelli