Project 365: Sorrow Without Hope

Excerpt: The Pursuit of God, The Human Thirst for the Divine, A.W. Tozer

O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, The Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away." Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wondered so long. In Jesus' name. Amen

Excerpt: The Pursuit of God, The Human Thirst for the Divine, A.W. Tozer

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Sorrow Without Hope

Today was a bittersweet day. Another lady from our congregation buried her husband. That is the 4th in a little over 2 years. There would be 7 widows and 1 widower in our congregation, except one widow has moved away. We are not a large congregation and that is a huge percentage!

As I walked into the chapel at the funeral home today, I had to fight to keep the tears at bay. I felt the sorrow in my soul during the whole service. But even in sorrow I have hope. The acronym for hope is: Having Only Positive Expectations. I know my Redeemer lives! Therefore I know Tim lives! And I know that after I die I will live also. Therefore I will see Tim again! So, all is good. Tim won't be my husband in heaven but that's OK. At least he is there! And, he is healed!

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 "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. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."

2 Corinthians 5:8 "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."

How do people who have no hope of a future life handle the loss of a loved one? I don't know, and I'm glad I don't know! It is so comforting to know Tim is in a better place now! He is in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, our God who redeemed us with His own blood on the cross of Calvary! Thank You, Lord, that You have given me hope!

John 14:3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow!
Because He lives, all fear is gone!
Because I know Who holds the future!
And life is worth the living just because He lives!

After the funeral, Ilene and I came back to the house for the food we had for the meal our church was giving to the family of the deceased. Then after cleaning up after the dinner we came back home and I worked outside in the beauty and warmth of the sunshine! I hosed the deck, deck furniture and grill off with water. I also took some bird pictures.

This pheasant is becoming a regular guest at the dining table under the feeders. He is beautiful! He has the strangest squawk, however!

Mrs. Cardinal

Stunning Mr. Cardinal

Chipping sparrow

The chickadee is a quick little bird!

White-throated sparrow

Mourning doves

Chipping sparrows

Mockingbird

Bumble bee. Too many of them buzzing and hovering around me.

I'm going to guess that this is the female White-throated sparrow since she is duller in color.

She looks a little rough in this picture!

Tomorrow is Grandparents' Day at Rockwell Christian School where Hannah, Ryan and Abby attend. So, I am going for the program the elementary has prepared. Then I will take Ryan and Abby out for lunch. Then they are free to go home! Poor Hannah has to remain in school.

On Saturday we are celebrating Abby's birthday, so I will spend Friday night at Elisabeth's house. It will be a fun time, I am sure! Hard to believe she will be 7 years old tomorrow! Where has the time gone?