“‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.’
“And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ And He said, ‘Write, for these words are faithful and true.’” Revelation 21:1-5
“JRR Tolkien invited a new work for good news: “eucatastrophe’, and expressed it in The Return of the King, when Sam asked: ‘Is everything sad going to come untrue?’
“’A great shadow has departed,’ said Gandalf, and then he laughed, and the sound was like music, or like water in a parched land; and as he listened the thought came to him that he had not heard laughter, the pure sound of merriment, for days upon day without count. It fell upon his ears like the echo of all the joys he had ever known. But he himself burst into tears. Then, as a sweet rain will pass down a wind of spring and the sun will shine out the clearer, his tears ceased, and his laughter welled up, and laughing he sprang from his bed.
“’How do I feel?’ he cried. ‘Well, I don’t know how to say it. I feel, I feel’ – he waved his arms in the air – ‘I feel like spring after winter, and sun on the leaves; and like trumpets and harps and all the songs I have ever heard!’”*
How can any of us, no matter how developed or wild our creative imaginations, know the feelings we will have when all this journey is completed? But we can know that God loves us and tends us as a shepherd tends sheep. That is a miracle, now, isn’t it?
Take care with love, especially His! Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?
For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:
ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS: Paul has additional health challenges to deal with. Adrian is in the home of some very loving people for now, out of the hospital and learning to cope with all the changes in his life. Pray for those who care for him, that the Father would give them extra grace and blessing. David’s best friend passed away last week. Pray for Jack’s family and David. Please pray that Tim secures a disability pension now that he is unable to manage with his coronary pulmonary artery disease. For Jen as she copes with her friend’s passing & for the hope of her future. For Carlton’s recovery from surgery. For Susan in Bulgaria, struggling to provide for her husband and two children.
Please do not get bored with this request: Those putting their lives together after the many natural disasters, especially for the volunteers in: Japan, USA and New Zealand. For Middle Eastern nations dealing with unprecedented internal conflicts. For the rest of the world to stay calm with regard to war, the economy and most of all for those who are believers, to pray and help others have peace during this time.
OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS: Help for Cris. Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael.
ONGOING JOB RELATED: That Paul will heal in heart and mind and find the job where he can make the greatest contribution. That Tim might find satisfying work. Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia. I need a new project to tackle for my work. Working on a new book and pursuing a new publisher in the UK for my other book!
PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Galdor got a wonderful job! Kimberly is home with her parents now. Reg for his ministry and patience.
PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS: Gwen, a 13-year old with serious headaches. Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/) Wisdom for doctors caring for Tim, Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
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