February 3, 2008

SORROWING YET REJOICING – Many of you have been praying this past week for my son John, thank you. His heart had stopped beating and it was a good while before they got it started again. Testing Friday finally verified a great deal of brain damage and Saturday afternoon the decision was made to turn off the ventilator, etc. He passed into glory at 6:31 Saturday evening. I understand the memorial services will probably be held next Saturday. – My heart is breaking, I tried going to church this morning and attended Sunday school and the beginning of the service but I could not sing and the tears began to flow after the pastor had made the announcement of John’s passing and I went home not feeling I could face everyone during the greeting time, I am too emotional. So, going home I am trying to update all of you who have been so faithful in praying for the family. John bore the weakness of his cardiomyopathy for so many years and inability of doing much that required physical activity. John spoke often to me of wanting to be home with the Savior and to see his mother and son David who had preceded him and now he is with them. With the three-hour difference between here and Oregon we spoke often in the wee hours of the morning over AOL as well as other occasions. He would read inter-net reports and Christian analysis of world events and Israel in particular and he was convinced that the rapture and prophetic events to follow were close at hand. I believe he was probably right but he beat the event home to glory so I rejoice in my tears. My son Gary will be flying out with me in two or three days to be with the family. My daughter Patty and her husband from Houston will also be flying out. John and Ethel’s son Tim has already been out there several days from the Wheaton/Chicago area.

MY GRANDSON BEN – You have also been praying for Ben who is in the same hospital John was in. Ben has been moved from ICU down to the cardiac floor to await a heart transplant. His heart is weak but stabilized for now, though he is still experiencing some nausea. Your continued prayers for him will be greatly appreciated. Chemo for little Logan has been postponed for a few weeks. Thank you for praying for him too.

A SIN IMPACTED WORLD – The scriptures indicate that world conditions in the last days will grow increasingly worse. I am constantly amazed at mans violence and inhumanity toward one another and it all speaks to the depravity of the human heart without Christ. Bank robberies, drive by shootings killing innocent children inside their own homes, rapists killing women & their unborn babies, husbands killing their wives, police officers being killed as they endeavor to protect society and the terrible suicide bombings, even using retarded women to carry out their schemes. My mind cries out, “How can people be so horribly vicious.” You begin to wonder if it is safe to go shopping. We have a new grocery store just a couple blocks from our home and if you go shopping in the evening there is a police officer just inside the door, hired to prevent a possible robbery. People are being ushered into eternity without the saving grace of Christ. Our hearts cry out for the Savior to come and establish His Kingdom and set all these things in order. In contrast, how sweet the fellowship of believers in the places of worship and various gatherings as we enjoy the company of those who will one day be called into the presence of our Savior and the loved ones who have gone before. Heaven grows sweeter as loved ones are gathered in before us.