Nuggets 64: Unendingly

  • B. Shelburne
  • Apr 6, 2007
  • Series: Nuggets

My old friend can't talk to me any more.  Several strokes have taken their toll.  But I can still see the love and welcome in his eyes.  His faithful wife helps him from the bedroom to his recliner.  He takes in every word as his wife and I exchange news.  They are two of the best people I have ever known.  My friend was the backbone of the local church, as was his father before him.  He still longs to help, but he cannot.

This close family has experienced more tragedy than most.  Children should bury their parents, but this couple has buried two beloved daughters.  Between their pictures on the mantel is this inscription:  "Those who walk with the Lord never see each other for the last time."

At each visit I see my friend growing more frail.  If things take their normal course, soon I will stand with loved ones around an open grave in the town cemetery nearby.  Elsewhere in that same cemetery is a new gravestone where one of my spiritual heroes was recently laid to rest.  He described his life as "an adventure with Christ."  On the back of his stone are words from his autobiography:  "How long will my adventure with my Lord continue?  I do not expect it to ever cease.  I am looking for its continuation on into eternity."

The goodness in these lives is the artwork of God.   God used the spiritual heritage of previous generations.   He used long years of fellowship, the teaching of his word, prayer, life lessons and the refining of the Holy Spirit.  You cannot buy lives like these with money.  They are masterpieces.  God will not waste what he has invested in them.  This is just the beginning.  Jesus proved that when he rose from the grave.

Romans 8:11-30;  2 Corinthians 5:1-9;  1 Corinthians 15;  2 Timothy 1:10;  Philippians 3:21;  1 John 3:1-3;  1 Thessalonians 4:13-17;  Matthew 25:20,21;  Revelation 21:1-5;  Hebrews 12:22-24

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Copyright 2007 by G.B. Shelburne, III.  May be freely reproduced or forwarded for non-commercial purposes provided content is unchanged and this copyright notice is included.  These shepherding messages are sent to members and friends of New Beginnings Church (www.nbchurch.com), to students and alumni of South Houston Bible Institute (www.shbi.org), and to other interested persons.

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