Daily devotion

Good-bye Melinda

/ pastorpete51 / 9 Comments

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV

Melinda loved puppies and horses, goats and bunnies. Her favorite trips were to the Amish farm in Strassburg where she could hold, feed and pet them all, and how we treasured our family visits with her there. How fragile all of our lives are will be told to us again today at her memorial service. Yet, while we are weeping and wondering all the why’s of her suffering and why she left so soon, I know she is now rejoicing in the presence of Jesus. For those of us who know Christ, the treasure we carry inside will never be lost, grow old or be destroyed. In the shortness of her time here, Melinda left her smile and special joy in seeing a reflexion of God in even His tiniest creatures. And we who are left behind for just a few more years must remember that our weeping today will only last for a short night, but real joy will come in God’s eternal morning. Good-bye sweet Melinda. See you again in God’s own time.

Finding Peace

/ pastorpete51 / 6 Comments

As many of you know our Daughter-in-Law, Melinda passed away on Sunday and this morning we are leaving to drive up to be with our son and grandson. So I will not be posting much over this next week. Here is one last thought.

Years ago, our pastor began his sermon by taking a 20 dollar bill from his wallet, asking, “Who wants to come up and take this?” We adults all wondered what kind of trick he was trying to pull, but a 12 year old boy, never hesitated. He ran right to the front, snatched it and stuck it in his pocket, pausing only long enough to say thanks!

The message that day was on how God wants us to receive His gift. In the same way, when Jesus knew, His disciples would soon be witnessing his arrest, torture and  brutal execution He wanted to prepare them. So instead of saying, “Cheer-up, everything is going to be okay.” (though that was true),  He offered them a gift: His peace. That peace was what had enabled Him to let go of His exalted place in the Heavens, and humbly come to a manger in Bethlehem. It had guided Him step by step as He grew up in the poor village of Nazareth and along the path of His ministty. Jesus never hurried, strove for power or accumulated worldly possesions, because He was always at peace. Knowing His Father was with Him, allowed Him to even sleep on the boat in the storm. Now He offers that same peace to us. It is not something we can earn. It is His gift for anyone who will race to the front, put it in their heart and say thank you!

Arrival in Heaven

/ pastorpete51 / 21 Comments

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.                   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks put the circumstances of our lives, both good and bad into God’s hands and help us see them through His eyes. Last night our beloved daughter-in-law Melinda slipped from this world into the presence of Jesus. And while we are overwhelmed with grief and shock, these words are promises to which we cling. Melinda has finished her race. Her battle with cancer is finished. And while that pernicious disease claimed her physical life, it could not touch her soul. That remained fully and exclusively in the hands of Jesus with whom she now lives. Nancy and I didn’t know how to process the news that came in three words. “She is gone.” Yet as sadness rolls over my heart I sense the message echo back from Heaven, ” She has arrived!”