Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

John 11:25 (New International Version)

25Jesus said to her, "I am the
resurrection and the life. He
who believes in me will live, even
though he dies;

I wanted to let all my friends know
that my lovely and beautiful mother
passed away last evening at 9:15.
My mothers deepest desire was to
go home to the Lord. She was a
woman of dignity and a woman of faith.
Because of her I grew up in the Church
and became a minister. Through my
mothers love and prayers, I came to
know a strong and loving faith.
My mother was a gifted and talented
pianist and organist. She was the
church organist for 63 years. At the
age of 19, she was accepted at one
of the greatest schools of music in
the United States, but turned it down
to marry my father.
She was a good and loving person,
and all who new her respected and
loved her. She was known as
"One Classy Woman" who was
always dignified and compassionate.
Upon my ordination, I had never seen
such pride in her face. She told me
that night that her prayers had been
answered. She had prayed, since I
was born, that one day I would become
an ordained minister. And now her
dreams and prayers for me had come true.
She was my mother, my mentor, my
best friend, and my best girl. I am sad
that I will not see or talk to her again on
this earth, but I am so very happy that my
mother has gone home.

GOODBYE MOM UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

LOVE YOU
YOUR SON KIM

Scripture:

14They will make war against the Lamb,
but the Lamb will overcome them because
he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and
with him will be his called, chosen and
faithful followers."
Revelation 17:14 (New International Version)

Reflection:

I'm not much for war, I have a tendency to
believe the many references that Christ
used when He talked of Peace and Love.
It is very difficult to love your enemy and
try to kill him at the same time.
War has been fought for, so called noble
causes, and some for selfish gain. Many
have gone to war believing their destiny
was to rule the world, others fought to make,
what they believe, the world a safe, saner
place. One of the big problems with war
is that it is so very difficult to know the
difference between the heroes and the
villains.
There is a war that will take place, as a
matter of fact, the battles are going on now.
In this war there is no mistaking the good
guys from the bad guys. It is the war
between Satan and God. It is a fight to the
finish, but God will emerge triumphant!
By the way who side are you on?

Prayer:

Father when it comes right down to it, I
would often rather quit than fight. But I
remember that Your Son endured death
on the cross, so that I might enjoy His
triumph. In my own battles, Father, keep
me mindful of the Savior Who stands with
me. In His name I pray AMEN

Jesus said…"I came to bring truth
to the world. All who love the truth
recognize that what I say is true."
John 18:37 NLT

A wife prays for her husband's salvation
(from "God's Daily Promises")

After a rather gentle talk [one evening]
about Christianity, [my wife Davy] went
to bed, leaving me lying upon the sofa
in front of the fire reading.…A half hour
passed. I let the book fall and switched
off the lamp. Gazing upon the glowing
coals, I wondered with a strange mixture
of hope and fear whether Christ might be
in very truth my God. Suddenly I became
aware that Davy was praying beside me—
she had stolen into the room in her
nightgown and knelt down by the sofa.
I looked at the quiet figure for a few
moments. I have never seen her pray.
Then she spoke.
"When I was in bed," she said very softly,
"it seemed to me that God was telling me
to come to you. I have prayed to God to
fulfill your soul."

She paused a moment, and then she
whispered: "Oh, my dearest—please
believe!"

Moved almost to tears, I whispered
back—a broken whisper, she wrote
in the Journal [the book we both kept
of our searching for God and truth]—
I whispered, "Oh, I do believe."
I was shaken by the affirmation that
swept over me.
"Hold to this moment," she murmured.
"Hold to it when doubts come. This is
the truth—I know it it."
Sheldon Vanauken in A Severe Mercy

Adapted from The Prayer Bible
Jean E. Syswerda, general editor,
Tyndale House Publishers (2003),
p 1657.