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My grandfather, a sinner saved by grace, completed his earthly journey today, crossed the River Jordan into the heavenly Canaan, and joined his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. A week ago he was in good health. He tripped, broke his hip, and after a few post-op complications, slipped the surly bonds of earth, called home by his Master. He will be dearly missed by his wife, his three sons, two daughters and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I had the privilege of spending a little time with him in ICU before he went home. With laboured breath, he commented that his body was worn out. When I pointed out that it was a good thing this earth is not our home, he replied with these words, among the last I ever heard him say, “We have no abiding city.” What a legacy to bequeath to one’s grandson! My opa had no abiding city here, but now he is a full citizen of that city where there is no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb! With his dentures and hearing-aids cast aside, Opa has now joined that heavenly host singing a new song:
Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honour and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created!
Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals,
for you were slain,
and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom
and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth!
I rejoice that Opa has gone to his eternal home, but am saddened by the prospect of life without him, especially for my oma, whose memory has trouble retaining things for more than 10 minutes. Opa’s translation into glory will be especially hard on her, seeing as she cannot take care of herself, and we are unsure of what the future holds for her. Please say a little prayer for her, that our Father would hold her in his tender care, and in his good time take her to be with himself. Also remember Opa’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, many of whom do not follow the faith of their father. Pray that God would use his death and the testimony he gave to melt their hearts and draw them to the Saviour so that one day they too may join Opa in that heavenly abode where we’ll never grow old.
At first I was thoroughly opposed to this whole Facebook phenomenon, especially since everyone seems to be hopelessly addicted to it. I once created an account with an old, old email address, just to check it out. Low and behold, it wasn’t very long before people were adding me as a friend (which I noticed when I logged in for the first time a few months later!), including an old friend from Mohawk who I hadn’t seen in years. Just recently another friend who I haven’t seen in a few years added me. Neither of them are Christians. I probably would never have seen them again, but now God has given me a wonderful opportunity to evangelize to them both!! So, while Facebook has the potential to suck up ridiculous amounts of time and produce a whole host of other negative effects, it can be used by God to reconnect us with people who need to hear the glorious news of Jesus Christ! So in short, I’m a reluctant convert to Facebook…
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
