Friends are one of the greatest blessings of my life. It has brought me much joy to be able to meet and make new friends in our Widow's Might group. I know there is always a friend to call when I feel it would be nice to chat with someone. I pray all in our lovely group feel the same. If one meeting does not seem enough for you, I also have a small group meeting in my home on the 1st Thursday of the month. For sometime now we are doing a delightful study of Heaven. All of us look forward to meeting our Lord Jesus one of these days, but most of us also have a very precious someone also waiting for our arrival.
The study of Heaven has been exciting, and with so much devastating news in our world and nation today, Heaven is an important topic to bring new joy and anticipation into our hearts. I also enjoy reading books like Don Piper's "Ninety Minutes in Heaven" and Todd Burpo's "Heaven is for Real." The latter is a precious story of a four-year old little guy, Colton who, after a medical misdiagnosis and ruptured appendix, had a visit with Jesus in heaven. He saw His Throne, sat on the Father's lap, met his grandfather, "Pop" who died when his Dad was a boy, and met a big sister he never knew about. He described her as being bigger than his sister Cassie, but with dark hair like Mother's. Colton and Cassie are blonde like their Dad. He described Heaven in a way that parallels the Book of Revelation, though he had not learned about it before his personal tour of Heaven. To me the most exciting aspect of Colton's visit was his description of Jesus. He said, "Dad, Jesus had 'Markers'", and was asked where, he pointed to his hands and the tops of his feet. His 'Markers' are indeed the scars He still holds for the redemption which He purchased for us on the Cross.
The last several weeks I have also been reminded by the Lord's covenant promise of the Rainbow as given to Noah as a sign of His everlasting love. I have been honored to receive the gift of rainbows at very special times in my life, and this week I received a video of one taken shortly after the terribly devestating tornado that hit Joplin, MO. In the midst of great tragedy, God has the mercy and love to give His people a sign He has never abandoned them, and is always with them.
As I pray with patients in the Hospital, I am often reminded of God's promises in numerous places in the Bible that He will NEVER EVER Leave nor Forsake us. What a comforting thought. After all, Jesus is the very best friend any of us can ever have. He is there when we feel alone, or when we are with friends. Whenever two or more are gathered in His precious Name, He's right there in our midst. He's also our Husband, according to Isaiah 54:5. I know He has certainly taken beautiful care of my children. When my boys were growing up, I often was reminded where he says, "He will feed His flock like a shepherd, He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young." Isaiah 40:11. How I cherished those words as I tried to train up my young sons to be men of God without their Daddy. Yet their Precious Shepherd was holding them in His strong arms and leading me so graciously.
A number of ladies in our fellowship are caring for grandchildren as well as their own children, and I feel the joy to encourage and let you know His promises are here for all of us. I am also beginning a new study about "The Shelter of God's Promises." The first promise in the study is 2 Corinthians 1:20, "For ALL the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him AMEN, to the glory of God through us." He gives us His promises, saying "YES," and we receive them all by saying, "AMEN!"
May all of you be greatly blessed as we look for His loving presence, whether in the rainbows, or in His precious Word. He is always with us, and desires to manifest Himself to us as we obey and seek His Presence and His Word. I look forward to seeing you at the Calvary Prayer Room for our meeting on Thursday, June 9 at 6:30 PM. May all be blessed by our loving Shepherd who's always ready to carry His lambs in His loving arms.
With Jesus love and mine, Dee
