Legacy of Faith 9-4-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Faithful Friend, Everlasting Father, I welcome Your comfort, Your strength, and Your Spirit. ... "Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, 'See how He loved him!' " (John 11:35-36 NKJV). We journeyed up to Indiana yesterday to join with my friends and pastors, David and Karen Thomas, to celebrate the life and faith of Karen's parents, Art and Gloria Muselman. As David testified to honor the self-less lives of this godly family who lived and loved with such passion and integrity, our hearts joined with theirs' as we wept and laughed through the moments of their lives. And the words of blessing and release written by the grandchildren were such a reflection and honor to the lives and legacy of the faith of this family. But I won't soon forget the love and grief of my dear friend at graveside of these parents she loved so much. As she stood between the caskets with arms stretched out to touch her mother and father for the last time this side of heaven, I know You were her strength standing within her, with Your arms stretched out through hers'. I know You wept as she wept in her loss and rejoiced as she rejoiced in their gain. These same hands that reached down to touch her parents' hearts one last time in sorrow and sadness were also the hands that reached up to touch Your heart in worship and trust, as we sang songs of assurance and trust in that holy mixture of grief and joy that only a heart changed by Your Spirit can know in moments like these. You are, and You always will be, the Source of her comfort and strength on this day and in the days to come (Psalm 121:1-2). What a legacy of faith she received and what a legacy of faith she has lived before us all. As my friend's parents looked on in spirit from the "great cloud of witnesses" above, I know they are pleased and proud of the woman of faith and love their little girl has become (Hebrews 12:1). And in these tender moments of releasing all the fullness of emotions to come in the days and months ahead, fill her with the love she has been so faithful to pour out to others. Bless David and Karen, Luke, John Paul, and Mary Ester with the peace and power of Your constant presence and steadfast love through this season of entrusting the lives of these they love to You. And I magnify this prayer out to all who have known and all who will know the sadness of loss of those we love. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com