Even though there were times that I had a hard time knowing exactly what to do here in OK, and would constantly have to get advice, Paul never made me afraid to ask him for help. He was safe. He's left a big hole in this forum.
I didn't know he was sick, but I had already started missing him. Even just tonight I was wondering if he was sick...then I saw his name in the sidebar. I am very sad.
Death is such an enemy. I can't wait to see him again when the dead are resurrected as Jesus Christ, and the apostle Paul promised in the Bible. Jesus at *John 5:28, 29, "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment."
And Paul at Acts 24:15, "and I have hope toward God, which hope these [men] themselves also entertain, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous."
I absolutely know that I have no say in the matter, but I have no doubt that a man as nice and generous as PAW is in the 'memory' of our Creator, and that God will have a 'yearning' for him (even more than we will). The faithful man Job said at Job 14:14,15:
"If an able-bodied man dies can he live again?
All the days of my compulsory service I shall wait,
Until my relief comes.
15 You will call, and I myself shall answer you.
For the work of your hands you will have a yearning."
Knowing about the provision of the resurrection helps with the 'sting' of loss. Jesus demonstrated many times that he could bring humans back to life. Even his own resurrection from the dead provided a guarantee that it could happen for us. Acts 17:31 says, "Because he has set a day in which he purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and he has furnished a guarantee to all men in that he has resurrected him from the dead.”
The resurrection is the only thing that can remedy death--and it will!:
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20060315/article_02.htm
I've always wanted to meet Paul; I still hope to one day do that.
Please, tell Ann that she is in my prayers.
Warmest,
Phyllis Moore--Tulsa, OK
*Please feel free to read the context surrounding these scriptures. There was no way I could provide that. |
