"Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints." ~ The 116th Division of the Psalms, Verse 15, New King James Version (NKJV)

Bentley here, "Just chillin out on the front porch in the cool breeze."

Hello and welcome to our time together for today, Tuesday, October 6, 2020. Our Mr. Bentley continues to be popular on the Shih Tzu Addiction Group Facebook page. The above photo and caption had 445 likes and 45 comments on that page. That particular page is associated with the American Shih Tzu Club, Inc., which was formed in 1963. The members are made up of people who are committed to this breed and its welfare and quality. I can't be sure if he knows he is popular or not, but, he does act like he is with or without any public acclimation. One of our neighbors said it thrills her to see our bond when we are out in the yard. Do what? Doesn't she know I'm just the fellow at the end of the leash?

We will be making our journey over to Louisiana early Thursday morning for the official home-going service of our sister-in-law, Glenda Rawles. The twins, Marilyn and Dorothy, (born 18 months apart),  have been doing their best to see after and feed the large family who has come to be a part of this celebration of life. They are busy from early to late, but, she told me they wouldn't have it any other way and they are so enjoying just visiting, reminiscing, and being with family. We've made many of these trips over the years and while there is sadness involved, it always gives the opportunity to rejoice in the lives of folks who know the Lord and are now at home with Him. Tears. They do come. We are designed that way. God knows that as the Apostle Paul was inspired to share, 1st Epistle to the Thessalonians, Chapter 4, Verses 13-18 as rendered in the New International Version (NIV): 13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Over the years, those verses have brought hope and comfort to hurting hearts, including our own. When it is all said and done, knowing Jesus is really the only thing that matters once a person closes their eyes in death. That sounds out of sync with a world bent on success, popularity, and wealth. It is, my friend, it is. Here are some insights from respected men of God: Billy Graham, "My home is in Heaven. I'm just traveling through this world." ~ John MacArthur, "Scripture repeatedly makes clear that heaven is a realm of unsurpassed joy, unfading glory, undiminished bliss, unlimited delights, and unending pleasures. Nothing about it can possibly be boring or humdrum. It will be a perfect existence. We will have unbroken fellowship with all heaven's inhabitants. Life there will be devoid of any sorrows, cares, tears, fears, or pain." ~ C. S. Lewis, "Joy is the serious business of Heaven." ~ John R. Rice, "We'll say good night here and good morning up there." ~ Ravi Zacharias, "One of the most staggering truths of the Scriptures is to understand that we do not earn our way to heaven. ...works have a place--but as a demonstration of having received God's forgiveness, not as a badge of merit of having earned it." ~ William Barclay, "For the Christian, heaven is where Jesus is. We do not need to speculate on what heaven will be like. It is enough to know that we will be forever with Him." ~ I share those because heaven is the destination of every born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. I would advise anyone who has not made certain their home in heaven to call upon the Lord in repenentance and faith. As our pastor often says, "He stands ready to save anyone, anywhere, at anytime who calls upon Him." Amen. ....More later.