the loss of a friend

Jan Berenstain died on Friday at the wonderful age of 88.  Here is a great article about she and her husband, Stan.

I bet Ralph is dancing.

Yesterday the world mourned the loss of the King of Pop. I did not. I did my part when growing up of listening and buying records of Michael Jackson but when he was arrested for child abuse or whatever it was, I got disgusted and lost interest in him.

Yesterday the world lost a great man. My friend, who sits behind me in church, Ralph, is now rejoicing in heaven with Jesus. He was in his early 80's. He had been in the hospital for about 4 weeks. On Tuesday morning, after his precious wife, Elizabeth, who he loved well, spent the night by his side, he was welcomed into heaven with the shouts and fanfare of the saints that have gone on before him. He is no longer in pain and can get on with work of Heaven.

I feel sorry for the children of Michael Jackson. As strange as their life was, the loss of any kind is hard. I also feel sorry for them because they do not know, without a doubt, that they will see Michael Jackson again.

Elizabeth knows she will see Ralph again and although the pain she feels now seems to her, I can only guess, as unbearable, she does have hope. She knows that her Savior is walking beside her and she knows where Ralph is, without a doubt.

I do pray for the children of Michael Jackson. I pray that they will come to know Jesus who will give them hope. I pray for their growing up years and what their lives will be like as people may want them for who their daddy was, not for who they are.

I am praying for Elizabeth. Half of her is not here today. In marriage, I do believe that the 'two shall become one'. She will have to learn to live with this gapping hole in her heart and life. But I know that Elizabeth will probably pick me up more than I'll do that for her and she will have an even more incredible testimony of the love of Jesus.

The entire world will not note the loss of Ralph like our little corner of humanity does but Heaven is. And eternity is what matters.

Anybody for a trip to see Mickey?

My friend, KathyB, said that the reason people like to go to Walt Disney World is that it represents a picture of heaven.  I agree.  I love WDW.  I love all the wonderful memories  of being there and frankly, I need to go back because life is hard right now.

The husband of the wonderful couple that sit behind us in church is in the hospital.  He has been in failing health for several months and has been in the hospital for almost two weeks.  They have called in the family.  Ralph is in his 80's.  Just about everything is failing.  Elizabeth is so heart heavy.  She asked the doctor almost daily if she could take Ralph home but they couldn't get him stable.  Ralph didn't just want to go home he wanted to go to his favorite restaurant in Searcy and then the next day he wants to go eat in Arkadelphia.  One place had catfish and the other was steak.  I love Ralph and Elizabeth.  If ever I have to not sit where I usually do, I have to let E know.  She said the one time I didn't, she spent most of the service trying to locate me in the sanctuary. 

Zach and Dori got married last June.  They were in our college and career group before they got married.  They have been to our house often and we even have celebrated holidays together when one or both had to work and couldn't make it home.  Dori is from Albania so our church family is her family.  A few years ago Zach survived an obscure cancer that strikes young men in the 20's.  Most of the doctors in our church had to look up the cancer because they had never heard of it.  There is a 20% chance of surviving the cancer the first time and the odds go way down if it re-occurs.  It has re-occurred. Zach knows what is ahead for him.   Zach is the same age as my son, Andrew.  

My friends, Dan and Lynda, lost their son, Ben, 11 months ago today.  He died shortly after the high school graduation of his brother.  This year his sister graduates from the same school.  The same activities will be involved.  It has to be surreal to be doing this all over again but with a big hole in your heart.

Derek Thomas once said at a Missions Conference that sometimes we must storm the gates of Heaven for our friends because they sometimes are unable.

I am praying Ps 18:1-2

I love you, O LORD, my strength.  The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Join me in praying for Ralph, Elizabeth, Zach, Dori, Dan and Lynda and their families.  Thank you