#53 Those who have gone before us. "Thoughts from the Back Deck..."

Last Sunday was a time in the church year called "All Saints Sunday." At St. Paul, we saw a list of 25 names on a side banner. 25 funerals that happened in the last year. All Saints Day is a time we remember that Jesus is good to his promises. 

We all know that we do not know what our future holds!
  • What will my son David be doing 5 years from now? All Saints Day is a time we remember that Jesus is good to his promises. 
  • Where will my daughter Grace be a nurse at when she graduates from college next December? All Saints Day is a time we remember that Jesus is good to his promises. 
  • What area of law enforcement will my daughter Faith end up serving upon graduation from college in 3.5 years? All Saints Day is a time we remember that Jesus is good to his promises. 
  • What will my tests show in the coming months, and will I have surgery on my horizon? All Saints Day is a time we remember that Jesus is good to his promises.   

Those 25 have received and are enjoying the promises Jesus made to them. 

Revelation 21
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. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘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.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty, I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 

Those people who have gone before us and rest with Jesus don't have to remember that Jesus is good to his promises. They are experiencing it now. 

All Saints Day is also a day we have the opportunity to reflect back on the lives of those who rest with Jesus and thank Jesus for their witness of faith in our lives...

Thank you, Jesus, for what you did for my dad, who taught me about humility before the Lord.

Thank you, Jesus, for letting Mrs. W be a part of my life. As my Sunday school teacher, she took an interest in me in elementary school and saw something in me that my peers and even I couldn't see in myself. 

Thank you, Jesus, for a loving grandpa and Nana, who loved their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and their great-great-grandchildren with a love like your love for them.

Thank you, Jesus, for my mom, who is still alive but trapped in her own mind due to Alzheimer's. I know your promise will one day be fulfilled, and you will call her home to be with you. Her love of you shaped my life.

Who do you thank Jesus for that the Holy Spirit used to fill you up and see that trusting in the Lord who knows and shows us our future is indeed the opportunity to be at peace in a world where we don't know our day-to-day future!! 

All Saints Day is a time we remember that Jesus is good to his promises. Our future is secure in Jesus alone!

Peace out, 
Andy

Share if you dare!   :-)

https://www.stpaullakeland.org/



From left to right:
My dad, my uncle Jim, Uncle Tom (by marriage), Uncle Bob


My Grandpa and Nana (Yes, that is me in the middle!)


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