People, Places, Time and Circumstance

At a set time in the history of mankind the angel Gabriel was sent by God with an individualized message to a particular person in an exact place with a certain set of circumstances.

Johnny Hicks 1959

Ginny Perry 1960

In December of 1961 when other kids were looking forward to Christmas break, I checked out of school and told my principal I would not be returning. As a teacher myself now, I understand how educators feel when kids make poor choices, choices that will affect their education and future.  The expectation for these children is very low.  Who would have given much hope  to a fifteen year old girl and an eighteen year old boy having a successful marriage, one that would last fifty years?    

In April of 1958 my husband who lived in Louisiana turned 15.  His Dad was very ill most of that year and in October he died.  My husband stayed with an older sister and her family much of 1958 and 1959.

About a week before my twelfth birthday in May of 1958 a judge ruled that my two sisters, my little brother and I would taken to an orphanage when school was out.  Instead, my mother took us and ran away to California.  This was one of the darkest times of my life.  I needed my Daddy, but I did not know where he was and he did not know where I was.  We returned to Texas in August of that year.  My parents were divorced on December 26, 1958.

In 1959 a week after his sixteenth birthday, my husband’s Mother died.  The older three children tried to keep the younger five together but that was next to impossible.  Eventually, they all came to Waxahachie, Texas to the older brother’s home.  It was here that his sister-in-law Bonnie began to show him Christ.

In 1960 my husband turned 17 and I turned 14.  He continued to bounce back and forth between Georgia and Texas.  Then, my brother started dating his sister.  I met my husband for the first time.

In January of 1961 I was in a terrible car wreck.  It damaged my sight and I was not able to finish the school year.  My husband who had turned eighteen came back to Texas and dropped out of school.  In May, about the time I turned fifteen, he showed up where I was working.  We started dating.  December 29, 1961 we married.

My husband and I were kids who knew what a home was but did not have one anymore.  I saw strength (like my Daddy’s) in him.  He saw in me someone he could count on.  Even though it seemed far-fetched to the majority of people God saw an orphan boy from the piney woods of Louisiana and a little girl from a broken home in Central Texas that He could use to further His Kingdom and bring honor to the Father.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city in Galilee, named Nazareth,  to a virgin espoused to a man named Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. (Luke 1:26 & 27)

The timing for many events of our life is out of our control, but nothing is out of the control of our Heavenly Father.  Mary and certainly Joseph were not expecting a visit from the angel Gabriel in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy; however, God had the people, the circumstances, the time and the place percisely planned. Scripture says in Malachi 3:1 that a messenger would come and prepare the way for the Messiah.  John the Baptist was born six month before Jesus. Isaiah 7:14 tells us that the mother of the Messiah will be a virgin; Chapter 9: 6 & 7 tell about the Messiah ruling on the throne of David forever.  We read in Matthew 2:23 about Jesus coming from Nazareth to fulfill prophecy. Indeed, God always knows what He is doing!!

The first time my Daddy came to visit me after my marriage I was so excited for him to meet my new sister-in–law, Bonnie.  As soon as he met her tears came to his eyes, and he said that God had answered his prayer.  Christmas of 1960 in a time of great despair over his children my daddy cried unto the Lord and waited in his presence until an answer came.  God promised if he (my dad) would minister to the children and young people he came in contact with, then God himself would send someone to minister to his children.  Bonnie, my husband’s sister-in-law, and my sister and very best friend, has had more godly influence on both our lives than any other person we know.  What a faithful God we have!

Don’t you love to see the way God weaves lives together and orchestras the events for His glory and for our well being!

Many Blessings,

Virginia

The thing I love about reading my mother's story is to see how it connects and flows into my own. What about you? What particular people and places has God woven in your life? What circumstances has he used to color your story? How can you look back and see the perfection of His timing?  One of the great things about looking back is that it often makes it easier to look forward! 

Ronda

A Handmaiden of the Lord

As I've shared over the last several months, I have been blessed with many wonderful teachers and witnesses to the truth and none more precious to me than my mother!  I admire her unrelenting (sometimes downright stubborn) faith more than I can tell you. Over the next few weeks, I would like to share my mother with each of you as she writes of  truths she has learned and shared with me along our way.    

You will want to listen!

Ronda

My mother standing
in front of the church her
dad began in Glen Rose

My first memory as a child was at a Cottage Prayer Meeting.  I was about three.  My Dad had started an Assembly of God church in Glen Rose, Texas.  When we went to the prayer meeting Mother sat my older brother, my sister and me down at a specific place where we were to stay until the meeting was over.  No noise was allowed.  The only options that were available to us were to look or listen.  There were just a few people, but they knew how to get in touch with God for their needs.  As a child I was just listening.  I can still hear the sound of people interceding for others, and waiting in the presence of God, then the sound of praise and thanksgiving when the answer comes.    It was not loud; rather it was like a quiet hush that went up to the throne room of God as simple people of faith poured out their particular needs to their heavenly Father. God knew while I was yet in my Mother’s womb that I am an auditory learner and He allowed me to be present at such a meeting more than once.  What I took from there was the sound of earnest prayer, waiting on God, and rejoicing when the answer comes.  My life has taught me to interpret the meaning of those sounds.

Our family, during my parent's
first pastorate.

Years later I was a young pastor’s wife attending an early morning prayer meeting at the district minister’s retreat in Monroe, Louisiana.  This particular morning there was one preacher standing with his face to the wall and his posture said he was agonizing before God with a great need. There were pastors and their wives kneeling at the altars and pews all around the auditorium.  I was seated on a pew just absorbing the atmosphere; listening to the sounds of earnest prayer.  I felt as though I was seated in His presence.  Then from behind me I heard someone say, "The handmaid of the Lord.”  I immediately turned to see who had spoken, but no one was behind me.  I looked around and noticed that no one else had responded to the words.   I realized God had spoken to me.  It was a calling to a greater service and a preparation for what lay ahead.  My times are in your hands.  Psalms 31:15a

As I began to read Luke 1: 26-38 the Word began to leap from the page into my heart.  Then I began to write what the Lord was whispering in my heart.  Following is a summary of these whisperings.    

At a set time in the history of mankind the angel Gabriel was sent by God with an individualized message to a particular person in an exact place with a certain set of circumstances. He brought a declaration of favor, an assignment, and words of encouragement about the assignment.  

 In the next few weeks I want to share some of these truths with you. 

Many Blessings,

Virginia

I find it funny that my mother attaches her learning to sounds. When I was growing up, the one thing she couldn't stand was noise, particularly in the morning! (Mirror, Mirror on the wall!)  Although, she did describe "quiet" in both experiences, didn't she?  While she never told us to "shut up" - that was a curse word at our house - she could say "be quiet" firmer than anyone I know!

Occupy

Stephen & I in 1975. He wrote me
a song a played his guitar for me!

When Stephen was 8 years old he told his guitar teacher that Jesus would return before his 13 year old sister married.  A few months later he and his family were in Louisiana visiting and he and I were discussing names for our future children.  Teasing him, his mother reminded him about what he had told his teacher.  Thrown for only a moment, he shot back “Occupy”!  He had already caught his mother’s quickness with a scripture for everything!  “Occupy until I come” (Luke 19, KJV of course!)

Yes, you read that correctly we were naming children at 8 years old!  While we did not use any of those names 14 years later when our daughter was born, we have been occupying for 27 years as of this past May 26^th!

As I drove down memory lane around our anniversary, I thought of the 16 houses in 6 communities in 3 states we have occupied.  One of things I noted was the difference in the ones we rented and the ones we owned.  Occupying a home you own is quite different than occupying one you do not. The ones we’ve owned always involved at least some changes in paint color, they often involved broken things to repair, and they all involved insurance to protect our investment and taxes to pay.   With ownership comes responsibility.

When financing or insuring a house, one of the risk factors is who occupies the property.  Is it unoccupied? Is it tenant occupied? Or is it owner occupied? Less risk is perceived when a property is owner occupied because the occupant has a vested interest in the condition of the house.  I recall being surprised, actually aggravated with our landlord when we moved out of one of the first apartments we occupied. I thought I had worked hard to leave things clean; primarily to make sure our deposit was returned!  But when the owner inspected the property, her idea of a clean oven and mine were not the same!    

So when Jesus told the parable of the talents in Luke 19, were the servants in story to be tenants or owners of the property he entrusted to them?  In Sunday school lessons about this parable, the thing I’ve most often heard relates to our stewardship of the material things God has provided.  And that’s a good lesson.  Indeed the New Living version reads, “invest this for me until I come.”  This application of the parable seems to speak more to a tenant, which is valid given that this world is not our permanent home and certainly material things are temporary.  However, I have to wonder if there is another lesson for us in this parable. Just before telling this parable, Jesus had reminded the crowd that had followed him to Zacchaeus’ home that he came to seek and to save those who are lost. In John 3:17 we are told that God sent his Son to occupy our world not to condemn it, but to save it.  He came as an owner. He had a vested interest. He had the responsibility of fixing what had been broken, protecting and redeeming that which belonged to him.  So are we tenants or owners of what he has entrusted to us?  I think when it comes to people, Jesus’ words and actions compel us to exercise the care of an owner.

This last week one the finest occupants of this world I have known found her permanent home in the presence of her King. Violet Helms was a woman who knew how to occupy until he came for her. In her obituary, after listing her surviving family members the following was printed, “and a host of others she considered her own”.  As a part of that host, I can testify that she did indeed care for each person as if they were her own.  She sought out the lost, repaired the broken and spurred others to good works. As both my father and her current pastor attested, her spurring often came in words of encouragement, but she also cared enough to say what you needed to hear even if it was tough. Thanks to these two men who are part of her host and the beautiful voices of her grandchildren, I left her service feeling encouraged to serve the Lord wholeheartedly.  I know that’s exactly what she would have wanted because that’s exactly how I always felt when I was in her presence.  



May 26, 1984 with Stephen's grandparents
and mine, Bro. & Sis. Helms. They truly took
me in as one of their own.



As my father said, 27 years ago when Stephen and I drove away from our wedding reception, “God help us”.  Help us to occupy your land with great care, considering each one as our own, always seeking the lost, repairing the broken and protecting those who belong to you.

Thanks for listening,

Ronda

“Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.”  I Peter 5:2&3

“Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.” I Thessalonians 5:14

Surprise

“What is so surprising about this?”  

This was Peter’s question to the astonished crowd who witnessed the healing of the lame beggar.  This favorite Sunday school story is found in Acts, chapter 3. Peter and John are going to the temple to pray when a lame man who begged at the temple gate everyday asked them for money. Peter and John look at him and then Peter says, we have no money, but we have Jesus and in his name you can walk.  Then, they help him to his feet and he begins walking and leaping and praising God. (I loved that line in the Sunday school song.) He then goes into the temple with them.  The congregation gathered there is “absolutely astounded” when they realize this is the beggar whom they’ve passed everyday on their way into the temple.  Seizing the opportunity, Peter says why are you so surprised and why are you staring at us as if we did this on our own?  Don’t you know, Peter wanted to say, what’s wrong with you people, didn’t you pay any attention to events of the last several months, and don’t you have a clue whose followers we are? In a way, he did. But he also told them, “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed.”  He told them this same Jesus came to be their Savior.

Peter might have been surprised himself that his sermon resulted in his arrest and that thousands of peopole became believers that day.  But then again, maybe not, Jesus had been surprising Peter from the time they met on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus had borrowed his boat, filled it with fish and them called him to follow him. (Another favorite Sunday school story found in Luke, chapter 5)

Sometimes I find myself responding like this astonished crowd, surprised by the power and goodness of God, surprised by his concern for the broken and the broke.  He answers a pray and a friend is healed, a relative is employed, a wayward child turns for home, or a difficult situation lightens up. And I asked myself, what is so surprising about this? Have you not paid attention?  I am reminded as Peter told the crowd and the Psalms so eloquently says, it is the name of the Lord that we find help, hope, direction and all that is needed for life.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
      but to your name goes all the glory
      for your unfailing love and faithfulness.  (Psalm 115:1)

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
      I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
      I will be with them in trouble.
      I will rescue and honor them. (Psalm 91:14-15)

The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
      for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. (Psalm 138:8)

Thanks be to God!

Thanks for listening

See you next Sunday,

Ronda

Twenty-four years ago this week I had the best surprise of my life; one of God’s “goodest” gifts to me. After nine months of anticipating giving birth to a baby boy, my almost 10 pound baby girl arrived. The first words her daddy said were, “a girl ?!” Less than an hour before she was born, the doctor was still saying, gotta be a boy. The “pencil test” had been saying boy consistently for months and the doctor was 95% sure I was carrying a boy.  Nevertheless, on May 21, 1987, we took our baby girl home to her blue nursery and little Dallas cowboy outfits. Luckily, my mother had a cut out a pink dress the week before “just in case” and Stephen’s grandmother finished it so Virginia Grace could come home in pretty pink, instead of Dallas Cowboy blue!  

She is evidence that God does indeed know what is best for me!

Virginia Grace,
Ready to go home in her pink dress
May 21, 1987

What time I am afraid

Recently my mom and I were remembering an eventful trip she, my brothers and I made to my Granny’s house. Somewhere between Fort Worth and Granbury, Texas we found ourselves on a dead end road that literally ended in a field.  Being the oldest child I tried to remain calm but I was scared to death! My mother recalls me saying several times, if only Daddy were here. If we had had a cell phone, you better believe I would have been on the phone with him certain he could have guided us back to our road. My mother, however, did what she knew to do. She prayed and then she thought about where we had come from and where we must be in relation to places that were familiar to her. Then she began to make our way back in the direction that seemed logical to her. And then she stopped at the only place she could find and asked directions, a bar in the middle of nowhere!  To say the least, I was now petrified. My brother, Michael, who was 8 or 9 at the time, went in with her. (Well, someone had to stay in the car with the two younger boys!)  We eventually made it back to the right road and arrived safe and sound at my Granny’s house.

My mother taught me a valuable lesson that night about dealing with fear and anxiety.  I remember thinking how can she not be scared! Now I know she was, but despite her fear, she did not panic.  Instead before she reacted, she prayed and she thought about what she knew and then and only then did she act.  And when an opportunity presented itself, she asked for help.  Over my lifetime, she has had to teach me this lesson again and again.

 In Philippians, we are told; “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (4:6-8) My mother certainly knows how to pray. But here’s the real secret I think she knows, just before these verses Paul reminds us that “The Lord is near”.  That scary night in Texas I was certain, if my Daddy had been near I would not have been afraid. I had complete trust in my Daddy’s ability to protect and direct us in any situation.   I’m convinced that the simple knowledge that my heavenly Father is near is the only antidote for the fears and anxieties life presents. Where ever we find ourselves, He is there!

I want to live with no fear, like I did as a child when my Daddy was near. But in the mean time I want to follow the verse my mother-in-law often quotes. “What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3.

Thanks for listening,

See you next Sunday

Ronda

My mother and my mother-in-law are completely different personalities, but both have taught me much about trusting in the Lord. I am blessed with two wonderful mothers whom I love dearly! Happy Mother’s Day!

My mother-inlaw, Grace Darlene
My Mother, Virginia and
their grandaughter, Virginia Grace
Graduation 2005.

Death, where is your sting?

This week my mother’s older sister, Wanda Pearl, went home to see Jesus. There are two things that I think of most often when I think of my Aunt Wanda. One is my mom telling me how she always tried to protect her from “ugly things”.  The other is her love of pretty things. When I was a young teenager, Aunt Wanda lived in our town for a little while. I always enjoyed her love of jewelry, make-up, nail polish, hair styles and other accessories. My mother was much more practical about these things and so it was fun for me to watch and learn some things from my aunt.  And so when I learned of her death, I thought of all the pretty things she is enjoying now and the all the ugly things that are no more. It was easy for me to see the victory for her in death because of the work of Christ we celebrate at Easter.

However, this Easter morning as I stood to sing “Because He Lives”, I was face to face with deaths that leave a sting. As we sang the words to the second verse, “how sweet to hold a new born baby and feel the joy and pride he brings, but greater still the calm assurance, this child can face uncertain days because he lives”, I was keenly aware that the man leading the song had recently lost his son who was same age as my daughter. And that was the second child he had lost to death.  In front of me stood a dear friend who tragically lost her husband and two children several years ago. As I looked at my child, my heart was heavy for those who live with the sting of death.  I’ve watched other family members who have lost children and others to untimely deaths and I know that His grace is sufficient to sustain even then, but I also know there is sting that does not go away.  As I looked up, it was my friend who had her hands lifted in worship the One of whom we sing “life is worth the living just because you live.”

As if rounding a corner in my mind we began the last verse. “And then one day … as death gives way to victory, I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.”  It is when we see Jesus that we will fully understand what scripture means when it says “Death is swallowed up in victory”.  There is comfort in knowing that our loved ones who have seen him know that victory fully!

The minister began to speak of those who encountered the risen Jesus and the transformation that it brought in their lives. It is true. The death and resurrection of Christ is the cornerstone of our faith and encountering that truth will change a person’s life.  And one day, we will see the risen Lord and in the twinkling of an eye we will be transformed. Then, we will fully understand the victory over death and the grave.  All ugly things gone, only pretty things forever more!

“But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye,” (I Corinthians 16:51-52 NLT)

“But thank God he gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 16:57 NLT)

Thanks for listening,

See you next Sunday

Ronda

Something Beautiful

  

The pretty yellow dress &
beautiful little girl!

My love of pretty clothes has always made the hunt for the perfect Easter dress one of my favorite spring activities.  As a young mother the hunt was normally for the perfect pattern, material, lace and ribbon and of course the matching hat or bonnet for my little girl.  One of my favorites was a bright yellow satin dress with a layered lace collar. The funny thing is that one began with digging through the scraps in my mother’s box of fabric for something that would work for an Easter dress.  My mother had a piece of yellow satin left over from making a “Daisy” cape and a lot of scraps of different laces.  With that in mind, I searched the pattern book at Wal-Mart for something that would work with all the mismatched pieces of lace. Satisfied with the one with the big layered collar, I purchased a small amount of yellow ribbon and went home to piece together the scraps. The end product was a beautiful dress for a beautiful little girl.

I would like to say I saw in that experience a reminder of how God takes the pieces of our lives and makes them into something beautiful. That would have been a great Easter lessen. But nope, in 1990 I was just excited to have a pretty dress for my almost 3 year- old daughter.  I wasn’t looking for anything more. But today, thinking back on Easters past I see the symbolism in that yellow dress. Not only was it made from scraps, the yellow satin remnant was connected to a memory of broken relationships in my life at that time.

Isn’t that how it often works?  Our vision is clearer to see the good God was working when we are looking back.

This must have been true for the women who followed Jesus through his trial, crucifixion and resurrection. These were women who had experienced the beauty of His touch. Women who knew the good he had made from the pieces of their lives. Earlier we are told he took his disciples along with some women he had healed and from whom he had cast out evil spirits on his journeys. Among them where Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples. (Luke 8:2-3 NLT)   

He trusted these women to be the first to witness his resurrection and take the message back to his disciples. Luke, chapter 24 identifies Mary Magdalene and Joanna to be among several women who told the apostles what had happened.  Jesus even appeared to them as they went to find the disciples, “Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.” (Matthew 28:9 NLT)  What a beautiful moment!

And yet the beauty of that moment had been not visible only 3 days before. Today, we gaze upon the cross and see the beauty of what was being accomplished. These women watched from a distance and saw brokenness and strife. All the good they had seen Jesus bring in their lives must have felt like a distant memory as they watched the horrific events of his death.  “A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women.” (Luke 23:27 NLT)  In the midst of their confusion and grief as soon as it was possible they made their way to the tomb prepared to care for Jesus one last time. It was there they were the first to witness the risen Lord and to hear his voice say do not be afraid. How sweet those words must have been. I wonder how many times along the way, he had said those words to them. The beauty of what Jesus had accomplished on the cross was beginning to be clearer.

When Stephen was pastoring Hugoton Baptist Church we often sang this chorus,

Something beautiful, something good
All my confusion He understood
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife
But he made something beautiful of my life

One particular Sunday morning, I quietly began singing the song in the present tense. All my confusion he understands, all I have to offer him is brokenness and strife, but he is making something beautiful of my life. There are moments in life when the good and beautiful are clear. There are others when the beauty and the good are still in the making.  

We traded Easter eggs for roses.
& bright yellow for gold, but still
my beautiful little girl!

One last thought, as beautiful as Ginny’s little yellow satin dress was that Easter morning years later when it came time for prom a new yellow satin dress was required. The beauty of the past was not the right fit for that moment. Life brings changes which often include confusion, brokenness and strife.  Each time God is still making something good and beautiful of that moment. I am sure the women who followed Jesus would have preferred he stayed with them, but he knew it was for their good that he must die, resurrect and return to the Father.

Thanks for listening,

See you next Sunday,

Ronda

“And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:27-28 NLT)

"The mail don't run on Sunday"

I suppose every family has quotes from family members that stick with everyone through the years.  For years I was told of the story when I was very small and my mother had given me my meal and forgot to give me a spoon. The story goes that after a few minutes, I said, “bless my heart I need a poon”. How cute is that!  Occasionally, when I am with my mother or my Aunt Bonnie and someone forgets the spoon, it’s not uncommon for one of them to say,”Bless my heart I need a poon”.  Another memorable quote in our family was when my cousin, Jerry, when told by his father to pick up his toys and go his room replied, “I will when I’m ready” only to quickly add to everyone’s relief “and I’m ready”.

Ginny, ready to hunt Easter
eggs at the Hugoton 
Baptist parsonage, our home
for 7 wonderful years. 

Years later Jerry’s niece, Bonnie, was living with Stephen and I and provided another favorite family quote, “the mail don’t run on Sunday”. The occasion was Easter Sunday. It was in the afternoon and we were hiding & hunting eggs. She was 13 but was being a good sport about hunting eggs with our daughter Ginny who was only 7. (I’m pretty sure she was actually enjoying it.)  Anyway, most of the eggs had been found and Stephen was giving hints to hurry the hunt along. So he suggested to the girls that someone check the mail and Bonnie responded, “Uncle Stephen, the mail don’t run on Sunday.”   I don’t remember which one made it to the mailbox to retrieve the hidden eggs, but we’ve never forgot the line.  Anytime someone misses the obvious, one of us will say “the mail don’t run on Sunday”

Ironically, Bonnie is not the only one that missed something that should have been obvious on Easter. I am always amazed at the how surprised the disciples seemed when they heard Jesus was not in the tomb. Granted that his words about tearing down the temple and rebuilding it in 3 days seems more like a hint than his obvious words in Mark, chapter 9.  “He said to them, ’The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but 3 days later he will rise from the dead.’”.  

It can’t get much, more clear than that! And yet, verse 32 says they didn’t understand what he was saying.  And when the women came on the third day after his death at the hands of his enemies to report he had risen, scripture says the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. Even when Peter ran to the tomb and confirmed it was empty, he left wondering what had happened. (Luke 24:11&12 NLT)

So what about us? Do we sometimes miss the obvious in Jesus words?    

Here’s another thing Jesus told his disciples just before they began what would be the very difficult week, we refer to as Holy Week.

 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.  There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:1-3 NLT)

Recently, I’ve heard many people say it’s obvious that Christ return is near. I pray they are right, but I'll be honest I wonder if we really know everything we think we do. Things did not happen as the disciples thought they would at his first coming.

But this much is obvious, when everything is ready, he will come and get us!  Sounds a little like my Cousin Jerry’s famous line, I will when I’m ready.  And I’m waiting for the next part, when Jesus says and I’m ready.

Thanks for listening

See you next Sunday

Ronda

Bonnie & I years before she
discovered the mail didn't run
on Sunday.

P.S. Another of Bonnie’s favorite lines was “I’m special” and that she is! Special to me & special to God!