Heaven is as easy as ABC

(JoAnna and Harold)

JoAnna has left this Earth and is in heaven with our heavenly father and her Mother.

Please pray for her daddy, Harold, as he has endured losing his wife and daughter within 18 month of each other. 

Our only comfort at this time is in knowing that she was a Christian who had given her life to the Lord.  In thinking of this, I am reminded of so many times I have read Facebook posts from people who lose a loved one and automatically say "they are in heaven"

Death does not mean heaven automatically. 

A Christian is a person who has given his/her life in faith to Jesus Christ. Its as easy as ABC

All you need to do is ..
A-Ask Jesus to come into your heart and life
B-Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins.
C-Confess your sins and turn from those ways knowing you are forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Being a Christina does not mean you are perfect. It does not mean that you wont stumble and fall sometimes but it means you have faith in Jesus Christ. I means that when you do fall, you humbly come to Jesus and ask for His forgiveness and strength to get through the tests and temptations.

JoAnna and Naomi were Christians and loved the Lord. 

I have no doubt that they are rejoicing together in the presence of our Heavenly Father.

Knowing this is comfort but it does not take away all pain from losing them on this Earth.

Please pray for Harold  during this difficult time, that God would give him all the strength.

 

In God's Hands

 Naomi (top left) was one of my favorite cousins. She always had a smile and a memorable laugh. She love the Lord. She loved her family. 18 months ago Naomi was murdered during a robbery at a family member's tire shop. It was a senseless act. Naomi left behind a daughter that she loves so much and a husband who loved her more than anything. 

Her husband, Harold, has been in poor health for awhile. He had a liver disease that required a transplant. JoAnna took good care of her daddy after her mothers passing. She took on responsibilities that no young woman should have to. JoAnna did all of the cooking, cleaning and paying bills while suffering herself. She had some health issues which included a liver disease like her father. In recent months she has been in and out of the hospital with several issues but with her weak liver, it has all worked against her body.

She needs a liver transplant but has been too sick to live through surgery and recovery.

JoAnna took this photo of herself in the hospital a month ago.

She is a beautiful 27 year old who loves the Lord and her family. 

Currently she is on life support. Her organs are shutting down now and her father (Lord, bless him) has made the decision to stop all medications and leave her life in God's hands.

Harold has suffered so much over the past few years. 

My heart aches for him. I cannot imagine saying goodbye to my spouse and less than 2 years later telling my only child goodbye.

Please pray for peace and comfort for my family during this sad time. 

I find peace in knowing that she is a Christian and will join her mother in heaven very soon.

The Cross

 What does it mean to you when you see it?  Lately this has been something that really bothers me.
I do own a few cross necklaces and to me its more than jewelry. The cross is a reminder to me of what Jesus did for you and me so that we might live eternally.  Too often it has become a fashion statement. Recently I went into a store with my girls and at first I was delighted to the the cross in various clothing and jewelry items. (because it has a deep meaning for me) but after a few minutes I realized that to many (and I dare say, most) it is nothing but fashion.

Now there is the side ways cross that I'm seeing all over. What is that about? Its heartbreaking to see that so many disregard Christ and what he did for us.  We are living in a time where sin is outwardly accepted as the norm and believing every word in the Bible is looked at as abnormal.

It is so sad to see our country falling right into the arms of Satan. Christ never gives up on us. He gives us unending open arms but he allows us free will to make our own decisions.

Is the cross just a piece of jewelry to you?