Is one able to see or feel the joy of the Lord amidst sorrow?
…when a special person is gone from your life here on earth?
…when the trumpet plays “Taps” to signal that final “goodbye”?
…when a son weeps deeply for his loss?
…when my husband cries for his deep loss of his friend and Christian mentor of well over 20 years?
…when the lonely railroad whistle sounds in the background while at the cemetery?
…when the song, “500 Miles” comes to mind…
“If you miss the train I’m on, you will know that I am gone
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles….”
God lived through this man, JKR.
God loved this special 85 year old man.
God used JKR on this earth beautifully.
God sees fruit all over branches of trees: from the branches of JKR while on earth as well as on the trees of other men he gently and firmly called disciples of Jesus, men whom he mentored.
God knew that so many others saw Christ through this precious man, every day, everywhere.
God’s joy exuded to overflowing through this man.
God’s love shone through JKR.
As we said “goodbye” here, God opened His mighty arms for this mighty man of God as he came through the doors of heaven.
The trumpet on earth played “Taps” in honor of the Marine he was in WWII, an Iwo Jima survivor.
The trumpet in heaven honored him as well. From all he had endured on earth, for all God entrusted to JKR, for his obedience and for his reverence to his Lord, the Lord knew His Christian soldier well.
After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven!
And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said,
“Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven,
with one seated on the throne.
Revelation 4:1-2
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!
A time of joy spreads within as we know the Lord is rejoicing
because His servant has come home.
because His servant has come home.
Rejoice!
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Philippians 4:4
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
LORD, I give thanks in all circumstances. You provide in everything, for everything. I receive and say, “Thank You, Father”. So whether sorrow or gladness, we rejoice and give thanks for:
- creating such an especially fine Christian man, JKR
- Your Christian soldier
- his mentoring so many men
- his being such a special friend to my husband
- being a father to three
- a grandfather to three
- being a kind and gentle man
- his wonderful smile
- receiving him into heaven 8/28/2011
- the ability to cry, tears
- love
And I say, Amen.
Image Source Page: http://brookfield7.blogspot.com/2009/11/thank-you-veterans-for-final-salute.html @ Bing Images
Being Woven 