The Death of a Saint

Saints.
Definition of "saints" from Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology:  The word "saint" is derived from a Greek verb (hagiazo) whose basic meaning is "to set apart, " "sanctify, " or "make holy."

The only way we can be made holy (without sin) is to be justified, or to render just, or innocent - be righteous (right before God).  Romans 3:24 says, "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"  Once we accept the payment of Christ's death on the cross as a substitution in our place, God looks at us through the blood of Jesus and see us as made holy, without sin, which is what separates us from God in the first place.

Saints, in the New Testament, are never deceased individuals who have been canonized by the church and given sainthood. They are living individuals who have dedicated themselves to the worship and service of the one true God as revealed through his Son, Jesus Christ.  Our friends in the Catholic church declare some dead persons to be saints.  They beatify (be-at-i-fy, or canonize), glorify, deify, and idolize these individuals.  We know that glory belongs to God alone, that He is the only Diety, and idolizing anything but God is sin!

I said all of that to say this.  Our family has been in distress for well over a month with Tim's brain cancer issues.  Naturally, we don't want to think about losing him.  I'm certainly not ready to have my life-long (less 15 years) companion be taken from me.  But, I hope that I can offer some comfort, not only for myself, but for the rest of the family with the next verses and thoughts on the death of our Tim, a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, cousin, nephew, uncle, preacher, friend and SAINT.

Remember, Vicky, if and when his times comes.......(or fill in your name)
Romans 8:28 will always be true.  "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Don't worry about tomorrow, but take one day at a time.  God is already in your tomorrows.  Matthew 6:34 says, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

My past, present and future is in His hands.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the thoughts (intentions, plans) that I think (have purposed) toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts (intentions, plans) of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected (hope) end (for the future)."

We all have a certain number of days assigned to us by the Lord.  Job 14:5 says, "Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;"

God is looking forward to our time with Him!  Psalm 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."

Celebrate the life God gave instead of mourning the death which is just a transition from life on earth to eternal life in heaven, which will be easier said than done, I am sure!  1 Thessalonians 4:13 says, "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." (the lost have no hope)

He will be better off than we who remain!  And I will be glad that he is perfectly whole!

Today I woke up with a headache, which I haven't done, it seems, in over a month!  So, I took some tylenol when Tim got up to eat his cereal at about 7:40 and laid back down for another hour.  Tim snoozed in the recliner until I got up.  Then he dressed and headed to the church office, unassisted.  Thank You, Lord!

He was there for about 2 hours until Elisabeth and the kids came.  We went to High Point to do some thrifting.  We ate lunch first at Carter Brothers BBQ.  Abby made it her duty to hold Papaw's hand to help him walk.  So sweet!

Abby stayed right beside her Papaw!  After a couple of thrifts, Tim was ready  to stay in the car with the kids while Liz and I went in the stores.  

We got back to the house around 2, I guess.  Tim laid down and the kids played quietly while Liz and I went to the local Goodwill and Mega Thrift.  Then she gathered up the kids and headed for home.  As they were leaving, Ryan said, "Hannah washed your dishes!"  I told her thank you.  When I got in the house, I found the evidence and a sweet note:

"Dear Grandmaw, Thx for doing all of my dishes when I stay!  I had nothing 2 do so I washed them for you. HA HA - That rymes.  Love - Hannah"

After Tim woke up and I finished the bulletin, we went to K & W to eat.  I couldn't believe how much food he took!  I knew he would not be able to eat it all!  He ate more than I thought.  I shared the roll with him and ate some of the fruit.  Other than that he ate all but a few bites.  We brought home one of my drumsticks and the cabbage he ordered but said it didn't taste good to him.  It tasted fine to me.

After we ate, we went to Walmart and CVS looking for some reading glasses with a stronger magnification than Tim's prescription glasses.  We couldn't find anything.  No double vision for Tim again today, but his glasses are 2 years old, so he needs a new prescription.  He has an appointment for July 7th.

When we got back home, we sat under the car port to watch the birds.  It was a beautiful day today!  Here are a few pictures.

Chipping Sparrow

Female house finch drinking from the bird bath

Haven't seen many chickadees around lately.

First time I remember seeing the chickadee at the finch thistle feeder.

Even as small as the thistle seed is, the chickadee put it between its feet to break it open with its beak.

Got a text from our son, Michael, thanking us for his birthday card.  He will turn 36 tomorrow, June 9th.  Instead of texting him back, I called him to tell him he was welcome.  He's in denial about his age, LOL!  You can't get out of it, sweetie!  I was there!  I know how old you are!  :D  Love you!

And that's the end of another day of blessings from the Lord!