I have been a way for a while. First a week of vacation and then my Mom took a turn for the worse and on August 8 at 7:35 am she breathed her last breath of this stale old air and took her first breath in heaven. I treasure those last moments as Momma looked at me with life in her eyes for the first time in many years. Ten years locked in a prison of Alzheimers and now she is finally free. Praise God! I told her "go on to the house Momma, I'll be there later." I praise God who gives a living hope.
I thought and said to her a minute before she died: eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man or woman what God has prepared for those who love Him. Momma oh what you are about to see--Jesus!
I am so glad to pastor such a great Church as CHBC and I am thankful for the prayers and support during this whole time. The funeral gave glory to God and there were several who left the funeral new creatures in Christ. They came with no assurance of eternal life with Christ and left with assurance. For that I am thankful. Some in the midst of their own storms left with comfort, knowing that Christ was with them and would see them through. One sweet lady said " I am so encouraged. I am in a storm and seeing how God is sustaining you I know He will keep me!" And He will. He doesn't always deliver us from the storms but He will deliver us through the storms. Isaiah 43:1-3 (NIV) " But now, this is what the Lord says--he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. [2] When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. [3] For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.."
If you do not have that hope my prayer is that you will. Call upon His name and you will be saved! Thanks be to God our Father for the assurance of heaven!
1 comment:
Pastor Raymond,
Your blog touched my heart today. I came across it as I was doing research on NC churches. My husband, Wade Hammond, is a Christian recording artist/music evangelist in full time ministry for 16 years. We will be in your area, Aug. 2-3, 2008 and looking for a church to minister in for Saturday evening or Sunday morning. But, back to your blog, July 30, 2007 our son, Little Wade went home to Heaven. He fell 28th ft. while working, but fell in the arms of the Lord. Learning to live without our son is the hardest thing that I do each day. I too have read over and over Randy Alcorn's book, HEAVEN.
My son's testimony has reached and continues to bring people to Christ. He was raised in church all his life, knew all the right answers, but just 6 weeks before he fell, Little Wade decided he was sick and tired of "playing church." He wanted an intimate relationship with Christ and that day his life was forever changed for eternity.
Please pray for us. This journey is difficult.
Visit our web site, www.wadehammond.com
www.wadeandkathyhammond.blogspot.com
Perhaps we could come to CHBC.
Our contact info is on the web site
Many Blessings,
Kathy Hammond
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