A comforting Scripture for me in recent days since Melvine departed this life for her home in heaven is recorded in the Book of Psalms, Chapter 34:18:
Psalm 34:18
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
NIV
I have needed God to be close to me in the early morning hours of each day when I have not been able to sleep.
It seems to have started the night Melvine breathed her last breath as she lay on the pillow in our king-size bed. I was at her side, and gave her spirit and soul permission to leave her body and go into the presence of Almighty God.
I had done the same thing for Stephanie who died on August 3, 2012.
Life and death are a part of our lives.
We who know Jesus can say with the Apostle Paul, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21,
NIV). I also believe in the resurrection of the dead as recorded in the Resurrection Chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:
1 Cor 15:12-19
12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
NIV
Yes, I am grieving the temporary loss of Melvine but I do so in hope knowing that one day Melvine's body, along with Stephanie, and our Julia Frances who is buried in the Lexington Cemetery in the children's section will be resurrected along with my parents, sister, and other loved ones and friends who have gone on before. That is my hope for Greg and me whenever we die. However, Jesus may come for the bride of Christ during my life time. I have often dreamed of that happening. I want to be a part of the rapture when it happens.
Thank you for your continued prayers for Greg and me. He, too, is grieving the loss of his dear mother, Melvine.
Psalm 34:18
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
NIV
I have needed God to be close to me in the early morning hours of each day when I have not been able to sleep.
It seems to have started the night Melvine breathed her last breath as she lay on the pillow in our king-size bed. I was at her side, and gave her spirit and soul permission to leave her body and go into the presence of Almighty God.
I had done the same thing for Stephanie who died on August 3, 2012.
Life and death are a part of our lives.
We who know Jesus can say with the Apostle Paul, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21,
NIV). I also believe in the resurrection of the dead as recorded in the Resurrection Chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:
1 Cor 15:12-19
12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
NIV
Yes, I am grieving the temporary loss of Melvine but I do so in hope knowing that one day Melvine's body, along with Stephanie, and our Julia Frances who is buried in the Lexington Cemetery in the children's section will be resurrected along with my parents, sister, and other loved ones and friends who have gone on before. That is my hope for Greg and me whenever we die. However, Jesus may come for the bride of Christ during my life time. I have often dreamed of that happening. I want to be a part of the rapture when it happens.
Thank you for your continued prayers for Greg and me. He, too, is grieving the loss of his dear mother, Melvine.