A Bouquet For Those Who Grieve

        A Bouquet For Those Who Grieve

Dear Friends,
     I was walking in my garden and when I brushed against the lavender plant the sweet smell filled the air.  My thoughts turned to prayer for all the needs that come to me.  My prayer today is that this letter to you will be a source of comfort if you are in a time of grief.  My heart aches with you.  I hope this letter will be like a bouquet of fragrant blossoms of lavender and lilies to bring calm and rest to your hurting heart. 
    If you know someone who is grieving I pray that this will be an encouragement to you to reach out to the hurting and minister to them.  What can be done to make a difference?  How can we demonstrate sacrificial love to our neighbors?
     When we look in God's Word we see how Jesus responded to tragedies.  Some situations that cause grief in the world happen through natural disasters, others from accidents and also some from the evil that exists in the world.  
     Psalms 34:18 says, " The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed."  Often in these times of tragedy  people are overwhelmed with questions, especially wondering why this happened.  They try to find answers and often feel a need to place blame and guilt someplace.  At times it can appear that an individual is acting as a self proclaimed prophet, bringing hurt to the hurting instead of healing.  
      In Luke 13:1-5 we see how Jesus responded to that line of thinking.  The people were distracted from the real picture.  Some people were suggesting that perhaps the tragedies had happened because of the sinfulness of the victims.  In these verses Jesus answers this question by saying "No!" And then He went on to encourage them to draw close to God.  He saw the greatest tragedy of all as being the death of someone who was not in a right relationship with God.  He wanted them to search their own hearts and repent and draw near to Him. 
     In Mark 16:15 Jesus says, " Go into all the world and preach the Good news to everyone."  In preaching the Good News we remember that we are in need of His grace in our lives.
      Jesus should be our example.  If you know someone who is mourning be a light to them, be kind to them, demonstrate love and compassion.  God can show us practical ways to  be a tool to bring the hurting to a place where they can find healing from Jesus.  
     Jesus has promises for those who are grieving.  1Peter 5:10 says, "...He will place you on a firm foundation." 
John 16:33
" ...Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
Romans 12:15
" Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep."


     
     

The Light Of An Angel: a Tribute to Christina Grimmie

                             The Light Of An Angel:
         A Tribute To Christiana Grimmie
Dear Friends,
     This is a tribute to a young woman who didn't let fame diminish the light of Jesus in her life.  Christina  Grimmie grew in her faith and the Light of Jesus radiated from her not only to the people she met, but to all who heard her voice, read her blog, or had any other contact with her.  I heard that even a momentary contact with her left people with something special that couldn't be forgotten.  Her death at age 22 is tragic to say the least.  
     Christina said that the song "In Christ Alone" was her favorite song.  She overcame her shyness and was bold in her faith.  In the secular music world she was a Light in the darkness.  Christina  had the authentic Jesus.  The Light of Jesus in her drew people to listen.   She had found the unique qualities that God created in her. She used those gifts for His glory. 
    Christina lived up to the meaning of her name; anointed, follower of Christ.  The Light that she had in her life will live on.  
     The lyrics to the song, "Fly" by Celine Dion are very fitting in our thoughts of Christina. 
  Fly, fly little wing

Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love

Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again

Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this

Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem'ry bittersweet
Until we meet

Fly, fly do not fear
Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't wait for me

Above the universe you'll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won't forget

Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light

    Christina gave her life for being a follower of Jesus.  The Light from her life will not be hidden.

John 8:12

"Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, 'I am the Light of the world.  If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.'"

Matthew 5:14

"You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden."

http://christinagrimmie.com/users/jrraks6z/blogs/6131881

     

When Fireflies Dance

                              When Fireflies Dance
Dear Friends,
      Summer is bringing so many sweet things to my garden. Wrens are singing, bunnies nibbling and hummingbirds are sipping nectar from the flowers.  In the evening when the air is steamy with heat and humidity, I get the hose out to water the flowers.  Fireflies come dancing out of their hiding places beneath the leaves as the mist falls on the plants like a gentle rain.  Things like fireflies bring back childhood memories for many people.  We remember running into the house and asking for a jar for these delightful insects.  Just watching them dance above the spray from the hose brings a smile with the memory.  
    God created us with an ability to remember things.  Many people today write journals, biographies, and autobiographies because they feel a calling to record events that need to be remembered.  These can be important for future generations.  
    His Word is full of precious promises that give us assurance and hope.  Simon Peter was given a message full of promises of hope for us.  Take a few minutes and read 2 Peter chapter 1 and you will see a powerful message that calls us to hold on to His promises and faith that Jesus was the dearly loved Son of God.  Peter passed down these words as reminders for us that this is true, and that he had heard the voice from heaven.
    2 Peter 1:16-17
"For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord jesus Christ.  We saw His majestic splendor with our own eyes when He received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, 'This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.'"