Rainbow of Promise

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I have been listening to "Over the Rainbow" by Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwoʻole for a couple of days as I have been praying about and preparing a funeral service for a beloved lady from the community.

Iz was thirty-eight when he died in 1997. He had suffered many health problems during his life. But, his music, especially this song, was filled with hope and with life. His music lives on.

I have officiated at near three hundred funerals or memorials since beginning service to the Lord here in Baraga County. They do not get easier. In fact, as each year passes and I grow even closer to the community, they get harder to prepare for. I grieve with the families and friends. I grieve to see them grieve.

There is only one place that I know that I or anyone can go to in times like this to find comfort and reassurance. Only, at the feet of Jesus, can we find comfort and hope as we hear the promise of that place that he has gone to prepare for us; the promise of a home that is not shrouded by the dark skies; but, shines with the glorious light and love of God for all who believe.

May God grant comfort and peace to all who grieve as you receive the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 16 Wrath and Justice

Rev 16 NIV

It appears that the seven trumpets only brought a foretaste of the wrath to come. The seven bowls wreak even more devastation. While the trumpets affected only one third of everything, the wrath pours out from the bowls affect the whole of the land, water, and skies. The beast and all who follow the beast are plunged into utter darkness. Yet, none will repent.

Rather than repent, a great army is amassed. Demonic spirits gather the kings of the world and their great army at a place called Armageddon to do battle on the great day of the Lord God Almighty; to make their last stand.

As they gather, the seventh and last bowl of wrath is poured and even greater comes upon the earth and those who follow the beast. An earthquake strikes the entire earth, mountains and islands are obliterated, one hundred pound hailstones fall upon the earth and the people, the earth is devastated. There is no repentance. The people curse God.

Be careful then to examine yourself and repent. Do not blame God or anyone else for your choices and the consequences of your choices. Do not blame God for being just. Be careful not to worship other gods. There is only One God.

There is still time; although, we do not know how much time. God is just. He will save all who believe that His only begotten Son died that we might be reconciled to God our Father and our Lord, Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 8:6-12 First Four Trumpets

Rev 8:6-12 NIV
As the angels sounded the first four of the seven trumpets there came destruction to a third of the
land, water, and sky. There are many theories as to how this could occur. God could directly bring destruction. It could come in the way of a meteor or some other such catastrophe. The destruction might also could come through the work of man or rather the lack of the conscientious work of man by not caring for our natural God-given resources and continual polluting of the air, land, and water.

There are many theories. The reality is; though, that we have not done a real good job caring for those things that God made us stewards of. We have not taken real good care of those things that we and future generations need to survive.

May God help us to better care for all things He has created.

God's Peace - Pr. J