When the Roll is Called up Yonder

Is Your Name on the Roll?

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 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20 ESV

With a name like Caligiuri, you can imagine what it was like for me in school when the teachers took attendance the first day of each year. Usually, after a while they would get it right but sometimes, I just gave up and simply smiled and nodded at their mangled attempts. The great thing about Jesus is that He not only knows our name, but He also knows how to pronounce it as well as every other detail of our lives! In this time as we are passing through storms of violence, division and confusion, it is a great comfort to know that if we have given our life to Jesus and repented of our sins then God has our names written in Heaven. There, no one will ever erase it, forget it or replace it. We have an eternal place with Jesus and there is no greater joy than being His! Today’s song – When the Roll is Called Up Yonder reminds us of this time of celebration, in a toe-tapping and upbeat way that has made it one of our favorites at the nursing home. I wish I could show you more of the faces of my friends there, but with usually this is not permitted. But one day we will have the chance to all meet on the other side and the good news is that we will all be younger and better looking there!!

Outdoor Prayer at Sunshine

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Thank you for those who prayed for our event. Here is our opening song at this prayer and praise meeting that surprisingly lasted over an hour without anyone looking at their watch! There was some hand clapping and some tears. There were some with hands raised and others singing from behind their masks. But whatever the expression of praise I know for a certainty that Jesus was delighted and by faith came walking in our midst.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

Our Friend Jesus

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“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. John 15:12-14

There is no friend we could have who is like Jesus. But being His friend is not about going on vacation with Jesus; hanging out with him at our favorite restaurant or having Him over for Thanksgiving. Being the friend of the man of the cross means taking up ours and following him. It means loving one another and standing by them even in the face of danger. The deeper the waters we pass through with Him, the more we learn to lay down our lives; the closer our heart comes to His.