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| Make the most of the vapor called life... |
January 12, 2009 |
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Greetings!
I found out this past week that a friend, and co-laborer in ministry to foster children, passed away. Laurie Hourigan, a Covenant foster and adoptive parent, is now in the presence of Jesus after a short battle with stomach cancer. Laurie, and her husband Rick, were foster parents with Covenant and eventually adopted three children ... Destiny, Kaitlyn, and Matthew. The Hourigan's were incredible foster parents and created a forever family for three blessed children. I share this information as a tribute to Laurie's life but also as a reminder for each of us to "live" ours.
Too often, we spend life second-guessing, future-telling, and living as if we were going to live forever. Many of our relationships have "get-around-to-it" moments, conversations and events. The truth of scripture tells us we are not promised any day. In fact, the Bible declares that "life is a vapor" (James 4:14-15).
Friend, the reality is that you need to pull the trigger and execute on some of the things God has been laying on your heart. You need to have that conversation you have been wanting to have. You need to pay that visit you have been wanting to pay. You need to say that word, give that hug, extend that forgiveness and so on to people God has laid upon your heart.
My last communication with Laurie and Rick was about starting a foster care ministry in Arizona. I recall that call and how privileged I am to have such amazing people in my life and alongside in the ministry. Laurie was a compassionate, loving and dedicated mother, spouse, "forever parent" and servant of the Lord. Earth is a worse off without her and Heaven is blessed. Her life brought God much glory.
Please pray for Rick, his children Ian and Sarah and their forever family including Matthew, Destiny and Kaitlyn as they mourn the loss of their mom and prepare for life without her.
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The cry of a devoed heart
5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. 6 The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. 7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. 8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, 9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living. 10 I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted." 11 And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars." 12 How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. 14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
~ Psalm 116:5-15 ~ |
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You are Precious to God in this Life and in the Next
God loves you. He loves you for and through eternity. He is love (1 John 4:8).
You cannot do anything to earn God's love but you can live to give Him glory. The cry of the devoted heart was the cry of the Psalmist in Psalm 116. "How can I repay God ... I will complete my vows!" Basically, the psalmist was stating that he would do all in his power to complete what God had laid on his heart ... the vow.
Friend, you and I are just like Laurie. We are living and moving and doing life and then we simply stop living. For some it is after a long life and for others it seems short. Nonetheless, we all must be prepared to meet Jesus on that day. I know when I meet God I want to have nothing left in my tank. That is, I want to have given all I could have given, love with all that I had, and lived for King and Kingdom with all that is within me. This is a daunting assignment and probably more a pursuit than practice. Still, we should strive to live like we are dying!
Why would God allow someone to write in Scripture, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints"? I believe death is really the beginning of life and God has this cosmic perspective from which to speak. God knows that "life" has nothing on eternity. As such, it is precious when one of His children come home. It is precious to have one of His children, that have served Him well, attend the banquet He holds in their honor.
When I meditate on this scripture I envision the homecoming of God's children, Laurie, you and I, similar to a soldier coming home from war. The family is all there, there are banners and shouts of joy. A soldier has made it from battle back home. That's heaven friend ... home!
This year, focus on living like you are dying. Pay your vows to the Lord by attempting to do all He is calling you to do moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day and whenever He calls. God is speaking and He is directly ... follow His lead. On that day when you meet you will hear the words Laurie is now enjoying, "Well done good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:33) |
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For King and Kingdom,
Randy Martin |
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